Relationship between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coinfection, anemia, and levels and function of antibodies to variant surface antigens in pregnancy-associated malaria.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection decreases antibodies to variant surface antigens implicated in pregnancy-associated malaria (VSA-PAM) caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The effect of HIV-1 on antibody functions that may protect mothers from pregnancy-associated malaria is unknown. Sera from multigravid pregnant women with malaria and HIV-1 coinfection (n=58) or malaria alone (n=29) and from HIV-1-infected (n=102) or -uninfected (n=54) multigravidae without malaria were analyzed for anti-VSA-PAM antibodies by flow cytometry, the ability to inhibit adhesion to chondroitin sulfate A, or to opsonize CS2-infected erythrocytes for phagocytosis by THP-1 cells.

Racial disparities in infection-related mortality at Alice Springs Hospital, Central Australia, 2000--2005.

Objective: To compare infection-related mortality rates and pathogens isolated for Indigenous and non-Indigenous adult patients at Alice Springs Hospital (ASH).

Design, Participants And Setting: Retrospective study of inhospital deaths of adults (patients aged > or = 15 years) associated with an infection during a medical or renal admission to ASH between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2005.

Main Outcome Measures: Admission- and population-based infection-related mortality rates and mortality rate ratios (MRRs) for Indigenous versus non-Indigenous adults.

A novel flow cytometric phagocytosis assay of malaria-infected erythrocytes.

Monocytes play a crucial role in controlling malaria infection. To facilitate our research into the development of antibody-mediated immunity against pregnancy-associated malaria we have established several novel malaria-specific flow cytometric phagocytosis assays based on ethidium bromide staining of DNA present in blood stage trophozoites. The first assay quantifies the ability of sera to opsonise trophozoites and promotes phagocytosis by the monocytic cell line THP1.