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. 1991 Nov;59(11):3975–3981. doi: 10.1128/iai.59.11.3975-3981.1991

Antibodies and DNA probes used to analyze variant populations of the Indochina-1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum.

M Hommel 1, M Hughes 1, P Bond 1, J M Crampton 1
PMCID: PMC258985  PMID: 1937756

Abstract

Ten variant populations derived from the Indochina-1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum were analyzed by using (i) hyperimmune serum raised against some of these populations in squirrel monkeys and (ii) an oligonucleotide probe based on the rep-20 sequence, which had previously been shown to be a useful marker of diversity. Although all 10 subpopulations had an identical fingerprint pattern on Southern blots probed with the oligonucleotide, thus demonstrating a homogeneous genetic makeup, they all had a different phenotype for erythrocyte-associated antigens, thus confirming serological variant-specific differences. Antibodies to erythrocyte-associated antigens were measured with a new technique including immunogold and silver enhancement. The results of this study indicate that antigenic variation can occur without major genomic reorganization.

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Selected References

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