Predictive markers of transmission in areas with different malaria endemicity in north-eastern Tanzania based on seroprevalence of antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 1 - 404
• Main Authors: Kaaya, Robert D, Kajeguka, Debora C, Matowo, Johnson J, Ndaro, Arnold J, Mosha, Franklin W, Chilongola, Jaffu O, Kavishe, Reginald A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 30-10-2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Age; Age groups; Antibodies; Antibody response; Antigens; Biomarkers; Diagnosis; Disease transmission; Distribution; Enzymes; Immunology; Malaria; Parasites; Plasmodium falciparum; Proteins; Research Note; Risk factors; Serology; Seroprevalence; Software; Tanzania; Testing; Transmission; Viral antibodies; Tanzania
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05818-y

A community-based cross-sectional study was done to assess Plasmodium falciparum exposure in areas with different malaria endemicity in north-eastern Tanzania using serological markers; PfAMA-1 and PfMSP-1.sub.19. Bondo had a higher seroprevalence 36.6% (188) for PfAMA-1 as compared to Hai 13.8% (33), [chl].sup.2 = 34.66, p < 0.01. Likewise, Bondo had a higher seroprevalence 201(36.6%) for PfMSP-1 as compared to Hai 41 (17.2%), [chl].sup.2 = 29.62, p < 0.01. Anti-PfAMA-1 titters were higher in malaria positive individuals (n = 47) than in malaria negative individuals (n = 741) (p = 0.07). Anti-PfMSP-1 antibody concentrations were significantly higher in malaria-positive individuals (n = 47) than in malaria-negative individuals (n = 741) (p = 0.003). Antibody response against PfAMA-1 was significantly different between the three age groups; < 5 years, 5 to 15 years and > 15 years in both sites of Bondo and Hai. Likewise, antibody response against PfMSP-1.sub.19 was significantly different between the three age groups in the two sites (p < 0.001). We also found significant differences in the anti-PfAMA-1and anti-PfMSP-1.sub.19 antibody concentrations among the three age groups in the two sites (p = 0.004 and 0.005) respectively. Immunological indicators of P. falciparum exposure have proven to be useful in explaining long-term changes in the transmission dynamics, especially in low transmission settings.