Malaria preventive therapy in pregnancy and its potential impact on immunity to malaria in an area of declining transmission.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Regular anti-malarial therapy in pregnancy, a pillar of malaria control, may affect malaria immunity, with therapeutic implications in regions of reducing transmission.

Methods

Plasma antibodies to leading vaccine candidate merozoite antigens and opsonizing antibodies to endothelial-binding and placental-binding infected erythrocytes were quantified in pregnant Melanesian women receiving sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) with chloroquine taken once, or three courses of SP with azithromycin.

Results

Malaria prevalence was low. Between enrolment and delivery, antibodies to recombinant antigens declined in both groups (p<0.0001). In contrast, median levels of opsonizing antibodies did not change, although levels for some individuals changed significantly. In mult

SUBMITTER: Teo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4449596 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature