Seasonal fluctuation of antibody levels to Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cell-associated antigens in two Senegalese villages with different transmission conditions

The recombinant R23, PfEB200, and GST-5 antigens derive from conserved anti gens associated with the Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocyte membran e. They were identified as targets of protective antibodies in the Saimiri sciureus model. We have assessed here the humoral response to these antigen s in humans. Cross sectional surveys were conducted in two Senegalese villa ges with different levels of endemicity. The prevalence of specific IgG and IgM was similar and influenced by age in both localities. The anti-R23 ant ibodies decreased after the rainy season, particularly in the children less than ten years old. The anti-PfEB200 response did not show significant sea sonal variation. The anti-GST-5 response increased in both the less-than 10 -year-old and the greater than 10-year-old groups after the rainy season in Dielmo, but only in the Ndiop villagers who were more than 10 years-old. T hus, antigen-specific seasonal variations of antibody levels were influence d differently by age in both villages. The isotype distribution was antigen -specific and differed for both seasons.