Age-related prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antibody in an hyperendemic area of Madagascar, and its relationship with parasite prevalence.

An epidemiologic survey on malaria endemicity levels, including entomologic, parasitologic, and immunologic indicators, was carried out in a village of the Madagascar highlands (Analaroa) at the end of the 1990-1991 rainy season. The results indicate that malaria is hyperendemic and Anopheles funestus is the main vector in the area. The prevalence of parasitemia decreased with age from a maximum level of about 60% in children less than five years of age to a minimum of about 16% among those more than 29 years of age.

Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antibody prevalence in Madagascar: a longitudinal study in three different epidemiologic areas.

A longitudinal study on the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antibodies (Ab-CS) was carried out in 15 villages of three epidemiologic areas of Madagascar: the highlands, east coast, and the southwest region. A total of 3,967 blood samples were collected from November 1989 to April 1991 from cohorts of resident schoolchildren. The prevalence of Ab-CS in the examined population varied greatly according to the different ecoepidemiologic areas of the country.

A novel merozoite surface antigen of Plasmodium falciparum (MSP-3) identified by cellular-antibody cooperative mechanism antigenicity and biological activity of antibodies.

We report the identification of a 48kDa antigen targeted by antibodies which inhibit Plasmodium falciparum in vitro growth by cooperation with blood monocytes in an ADCI assay correlated to the naturally acquired protection. This protein is located on the surface of the merozoite stage of P. falciparum, and is detectable in all isolates tested.