Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Bulletin of the World Health Organization logoLink to Bulletin of the World Health Organization
. 1969;40(1):55–66.

Current status of the immunology of malaria and of the antigenic analysis of plasmodia*

A five-year review

Avivah Zuckerman
PMCID: PMC2554459  PMID: 4978934

Abstract

The immunology of malaria has been intensively studied, and many reviews of separate topics have appeared. Among host factors contributing to susceptibility to malaria, the following are studied in the present paper: (1) genetic factors affecting susceptibility to human and rodent plasmodia; (2) physiological and nutritional factors affecting susceptibility of vertebrate and vector hosts; (3) sterile immunity in malaria as exemplified by radical cure and by modification of challenge infection following exposure to non-living parasite products; (4) the role of the lymphoid-macrophage system in malaria; and (5) the excessive anaemia of malaria and its etiology.

Gamma-globulin levels rise in malaria and remain high during latency. Protection is associated with IgG, which is passively transferable via the human placenta. Not all gamma-globulin is antibody, and not all antibody is protective. The fluorescent antibody technique and double diffusion in gel have been extensively used in exploring the kinetics of antibody production.

New methods of harvesting plasmodia attempt to avoid protein degradation and to minimize contamination by host antigens. Plasmodia have proven to consist of a mosaic of antigens, and comparative studies by most of the accepted techniques have been started. Exoantigens have been described in fowl- and rodent-malarias. Relapse-variants of primate plasmodia have been shown to differ antigenically from their parent strains.

Full text

PDF
55

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. ABELE D. C., TOBIE J. E., HILL G. J., CONTACOS P. G., EVANS C. B. ALTERATIONS IN SERUM PROTEINS AND 19S ANTIBODY PRODUCTION DURING THE COURSE OF INDUCED MALARIAL INFECTIONS IN MAN. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1965 Mar;14:191–197. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1965.14.191. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BERTRAM D. S., VARMA M. G., BAKER J. R. PARTIAL SUPPRESSION OF MALARIA PARASITES, AND OF THE TRANSMISSION OF MALARIA, IN AEDES AEGYPTI (L.) DOUBLY-INFECTED WITH SEMLIKI FOREST VIRUS AND PLASMODIUM GALLINACEUM BRUMPT. Bull World Health Organ. 1964;31:679–697. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Benex J. L'aspect actuel de l'immunité dans les affections à Plasmodium. Biol Med (Paris) 1966 May-Jun;55(3):285–323. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bona C., Ciplea A. G., Ianco L., Negulici E. B., Constantinesco P. Les mécanismes de l'immunité acquise dans l'immunité acquise dans l'infection à P. vivax. Technique des anticorps fluorescents dans le complexe des réactions cyto-séro-chimiques du système sanguin au cours du processus d'immunogenèse. Arch Roum Pathol Exp Microbiol. 1964 Sep;23(3):749–762. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Brown I. N., Brown K. N., Hills L. A. Immunity to malaria: the antibody response to antigenic variation by Plasmodium knowlesi. Immunology. 1968 Jan;14(1):127–138. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Brown K. N., Brown I. N. Immunity to malaria: antigenic variation in chronic infections of Plasmodium knowlesi. Nature. 1965 Dec 25;208(5017):1286–1288. doi: 10.1038/2081286a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Büngener W. Untersuchungen über die Aktivität von Nucleasen und purinabbauenden Fermenten bei experimenteller Malaria (P. berghei-Infektion der Ratte) Z Tropenmed Parasitol. 1965 Dec;16(4):365–376. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. CIUCA M., CIPLEA A. G., BONA C., POZSGI N., ISFAN T., IUGA G. ETUDES CYTOCHIMIQUES SANGUINES DANS L'INFECTION EXP'ERIMENTALE AVEC PLASMODIUM BERGHEI DE LA SOURIS BLANCHE. I. STRUCTURE CYTOCHIMIQUE DU PARASITE, DES GLOBULES ROUGES ET OBSERVATIONS EFFECTU'EES AU MICROSCOPE 'A CONTRASTE DE PHASE. Arch Roum Pathol Exp Microbiol. 1963 Sep;23:503–514. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. CORRADETTI A., VEROLINI F., SEBASTIANI A., PROIETTI A. M., AMATI L. FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TESTING WITH SPOROZOITES OF PLASMODIA. Bull World Health Organ. 1964;30:747–750. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Ciuca M., Ciplea A. G., Bona C., Pozsgi N. La dégradation de l'antigène malarique au cours de l'immunogénèse; enchaînement fonctionnel des facteurs humoraux et cellulaires dans l'immunité acquise. Pathol Microbiol (Basel) 1965;28(4):668–682. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Collins W. E., Contacos P. G., Skinner J. C., Chin W., Guinn E. Fluorescent antibody studies on simian malaria. I. Development of antibodies to Plasmodium knowlesi. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1967 Jan;16(1):1–6. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1967.16.1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Collins W. E., Jeffery G. M., Guinn E., Skinner J. C. Fluorescent antibody studies in human malaria. IV. Cross-reactions between human and simian malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1966 Jan;15(1):11–15. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1966.15.11. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Collins W. E., Skinner J. C., Coifman R. E. Fluorescent antibody studies in human malaria. V. Response of sera from Nigerians to five Plasmodium antigens. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1967 Sep;16(5):568–571. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1967.16.568. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Collins W. E., Skinner J. C., Contacos P. G., Guinn E. G. Fluorescent-antibody studies on simian malaria. II. Development of antibodies to Plasmodium cynomolgi. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1967 May;16(3):267–272. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1967.16.267. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Coudert J., Garin J. P., Ambroise-Thomas P., Saliou P., Lu Huynh Thanh L'immuno-fluorescence dans le séro-diagnostic des paludismes humains expérimentaux et spontanés. (A propos de 39 observations) Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales. 1965 Mar-Apr;58(2):188–207. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Coudert J., Garin J. P., Ambroise-Thomas P., Saliou P., Minjat M. Utilisation de P. cynomolgi bastianellii dans le séro-diagnostic, par immuno-fluorescence, des paludismes humains. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales. 1965 Jul-Aug;58(4):630–639. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Cox F. E. Acquired immunity to Plasmodium vinckei in mice. Parasitology. 1966 Nov;56(4):719–732. doi: 10.1017/s0031182000071742. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Cox F. E., Voller A. Cross-immunity between the malaria parasites of rodents. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1966 Sep;60(3):297–303. doi: 10.1080/00034983.1966.11686420. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Cox H. W., Milar R., Patterson S. Serologic cross-reactions of serum antigens associated with acute Plasmodium and Babesia infections. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1968 Jan;17(1):13–18. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1968.17.13. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. D'Antonio L. E., Von Doenhoff A. E., Jr, Fife E. H., Jr A new method for isolation and fractionation of complement fixing antigens from Plasmodium knowlesi. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1966 Oct;123(1):30–34. doi: 10.3181/00379727-123-31394. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Diggs C. L. Immunodiffusion studies of Plasmodium berghei: interactions of an extract of the erythrocytic forms with rabbit antisera. Exp Parasitol. 1966 Dec;19(3):237–248. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(66)90073-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. FLATZ G., SRINGAM S. GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE DEFICIENCY IN DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS IN THAILAND. Ann Hum Genet. 1964 Jun;27:315–318. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-1809.1963.tb01528.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Ferris D. H., Todorovic R., Ristic M. Factors associated with immunization of mice with soluble serum antigens of Plasmodium gallinaceum. Z Tropenmed Parasitol. 1968 Mar;19(1):109–121. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Finch C. E. Changes in alpha-macroglobulin during malaria in the duckling. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1966 Nov;123(2):562–565. doi: 10.3181/00379727-123-31543. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. GEIMAN Q. M. COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY: MUTUALISM, SYMBIOSIS, AND PARASITISM. Annu Rev Physiol. 1964;26:75–108. doi: 10.1146/annurev.ph.26.030164.000451. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Gail K., Kretschmar W., Lehner W., Purba S. Serumeiweissveränderungen und schützende Immunität bei der Malaria (Plasmodium berghei) der Maus. Z Tropenmed Parasitol. 1967 Jul;18(2):202–223. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Garnham P. C. Immunity against the different stages of malaria parasites. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales. 1966 Jul-Aug;59(4):549–557. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. HUFF C. G. SUSCEPTIBILITY OF MOSQUITOES TO AVIAN MALARIA. Exp Parasitol. 1965 Feb;16:107–132. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(65)90036-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. JACOBS R. L. ROLE OF P-AMINOBENZOIC ACID IN PLASMODIUM BERGHEI INFECTION IN THE MOUSE. Exp Parasitol. 1964 Jun;15:213–225. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(64)90017-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. KIBUKAMUSOKE J. W., WILKS N. E. RAPID METHOD FOR URINARY PROTEIN CONCENTRATION. APPEARANCE OF MALARIA ANTIBODIES IN NEPHROTIC URINES. Lancet. 1965 Feb 6;1(7380):301–302. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(65)91031-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. KIBUKAMUSOKE J. W., WILKS N. E. THE APPEARANCE OF MALARIA ANTIBODIES IN NEPHROTIC URINES. East Afr Med J. 1965 May;42:203–206. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Kreier J. P., Leste J. Relationship of parasitemia to erythrocyte destruction in Plasmodium berghei infected rats. Exp Parasitol. 1967 Aug;21(1):78–83. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(67)90070-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Kreier J., Shapiro H., Dilley D., Szilvassy I. P., Ristic M. Autoimmune reactions in rats with Plasmodium berghei infection. Exp Parasitol. 1966 Oct;19(2):155–162. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(66)90064-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Longenecker B. M., Breitenbach R. P., Farmer J. N. The role of the bursa Fabricius, spleen and thymus in the control of a Plasmodium lophurae infection in the chicken. J Immunol. 1966 Nov;97(5):594–599. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Lunn J. S., Chin W., Contacos P. G., Coatney G. R. Changes in antibody titers and serum protein fractions during the course of prolonged infections with vivax or with falciparum malaria. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1966 Jan;15(1):3–10. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1966.15.3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Lunn J. S., Jacobs R. L., Contacos P. G., Coatney G. R. Antibody production in Plasmodium vivax infections suppressed by weekly doses of chloroquine. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1965 Sep;14(5):697–699. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1965.14.697. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Lupascu G., Bona C., Ciplea A. G., Iancu L., Ioanid L., Baliff E. N., Constantinescu P. The fluorescent antibody technique in the estimation of immunity in patients infected with Plasmodium malariae. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1966;60(2):208–221. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(66)90029-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Meuwissen J. H. Fluorescent antibodies in human malaria, especially in Plasmodium ovale. Trop Geogr Med. 1966 Sep;18(3):250–259. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Sadun E. H., Hickman R. L., Wellde B. T., Moon A. P., Udeozo I. O. Active and passive immunization of chimpanzees infected with West African and Southeast Asian strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Mil Med. 1966 Sep;131(9 Suppl):1250–1262. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Schindler R., Voller A. A comparison of complement-fixation and fluorescent antibody methods in a longitudinal study of simian malaria infection. Bull World Health Organ. 1967;37(4):669–674. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Tobie J. E., Abele D. C., Hill G. J., 2nd, Contacos P. G., Evans C. B. Fluorescent antibody studies on the immune response in sporozoite-induced and blood-induced vivax malaria and the relationship of antibody production to parasitemia. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1966 Sep;15(5):676–683. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1966.15.676. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Tobie J. E., Abele D. C., Wolff S. M., Contacos P. G., Evans C. B. Serum immunoglobulin levels in human malaria and their relationship to antibody production. J Immunol. 1966 Oct;97(4):498–505. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Tobie J. E., Wolff S. M., Jeffery G. M. Immune response of man to inoculation with Plasmodium cynomolgi and challenge with P. vivax. Lancet. 1966 Aug 6;2(7458):300–302. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(66)92592-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Todorovic R., Ferris D., Ristic M. Immunogenic properties of serum antigens from chickens acutely infected with Plasmodium gallinaceum. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 1967 Jun;61(2):117–124. doi: 10.1080/00034983.1967.11686467. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Todorovic R., Ristic M., Ferris D. A tube latex agglutination test for the diagnosis of malaria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1968;62(1):58–68. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(68)90032-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Voller A., Garnham P. C., Targett G. A. Cross immunity in monkey malaria. J Trop Med Hyg. 1966 Jun;69(6):121–123. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Wallace W. R. Fatty acid composition of lipid classes in Plasmodium lophurae and Plasmodium berghei. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1966 Nov;15(6):811–813. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1966.15.811. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Wallace W. R., Finerty J. F., Dimopoullos G. T. Studies on the lipids of Plasmodium lophurae and Plasmodium berghei. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1965 Sep;14(5):715–718. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1965.14.715. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Weiss M. L., Zuckerman A. Precipitins in mice immunized with attenuated strains of malaria parasites. Isr J Med Sci. 1968 Nov-Dec;4(6):1265–1267. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Wellde B. T., Sadun E. H. Resistance produced in rats and mice by exposure to irradiated Plasmodium berghei. Exp Parasitol. 1967 Dec;21(3):310–324. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(67)90091-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Yoeli M. Patterns of immunity and resistance in rodent malaria infections. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales. 1966 Jul-Aug;59(4):593–605. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. ZUCKERMAN A. AUTOIMMUNIZATION AND OTHER TYPES OF INDIRECT DAMAGE TO HOST CELLS AS FACTORS IN CERTAIN PROTOZOAN DISEASES. Exp Parasitol. 1964 Apr;15:138–183. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(64)90014-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Zuckerman A., Hamburger Y., Spira D. Active immunization of rats with a cell-free extract of the erythrocytic parasites of Plasmodium berghei. Exp Parasitol. 1967 Aug;21(1):84–97. doi: 10.1016/0014-4894(67)90071-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Zuckerman A., Spira D., Hamburger J. A procedure for the harvesting of mammalian plasmodia. Bull World Health Organ. 1967;37(3):431–436. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Bulletin of the World Health Organization are provided here courtesy of World Health Organization

RESOURCES