Low exposure to Plasmodium falciparum and Acquisition of Antibodies to Circumsporozoite Protein Antigens in Individuals Living in Western Highlands of Kenya with Unstable Malaria Transmission

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dc.contributor.authorWalukhua, Michael Kisongochi
dc.contributor.authorGicheru, Michael M
dc.contributor.authorNyukuri, Robert Wanjala
dc.date.accessioned2020-09-08T07:33:29Z
dc.date.available2020-09-08T07:33:29Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionA research article published in East Africa Scienceen_US
dc.description.abstractBackground: Malaria continues to be a major public health concern despite the concerted efforts to eliminate it. Antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) antigens are involved in prevention of infection and disease with some of the antigens being targeted as lead candidates in vaccine development. However, most of the studies have been done in malaria endemic areas with little information available on exposure and acquisition of protective antibodies in areas of low and unstable malaria transmission. This study sought to determine whether the extent of exposure to P. falciparum affect acquisition of protective antibodies by measuring antibody levels and determine the prevalence of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and crude schizont extract (SE) in individuals living in an area with low unstable malaria transmission in Western Highlands of Kenya. Methods: Sixty plasma samples from individuals living in an area of low unstable malaria transmission in Western Highlands of Kenya were randomly selected and categorized into three age groups: <8years (n=25), 8-18years (n=21) and >18years (n=14). Antibodies levels in plasma were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and compared to known positive and negative control plasma samples. Prevalence and levels of antibodies produced against circumsporozoite protein and schizont extract antigens were compared between age groups. Results. The prevalence of antibodies ranged from 0% to 14.29% at arbitrary units (AU)>2 for the two antigens. The antibody prevalence did not significantly increase with age (P>0.05) but correlated with CSP and SE antigens (r=0.5977; P<0.05). Conclusion This study highlights antibody responses to CSP and SE antigens in individuals living in low and unstable malaria transmission. The levels of antibodies were generally low across all age groups and there were no significant differences among age groups. Longitudinal study on more antigens is needed to inform exploration of multi-antigen vaccines and also adopt several control measures including Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR).en_US
dc.identifier.citationWalukhu, M. K., Gicheru, M. M., & Nyukuri, R. W. (2020). Low exposure to Plasmodium falciparum and Acquisition of Antibodies to Circumsporozoite Protein Antigens in Individuals Living in Western Highlands of Kenya with Unstable Malaria Transmission. East Africa Science, 2(1), 66-75.en_US
dc.identifier.issn2664-1003
dc.identifier.urihttp://easci.eahealth.org/index.php/easci/article/view/27/86
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/20294
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherEast Africa Health Research Commissionen_US
dc.subjectMalariaen_US
dc.subjectCircumsporozoite proteinen_US
dc.subjectSchizont extracten_US
dc.subjectELISAen_US
dc.subjectPlasmodium falciparumen_US
dc.subjectIgG antibodiesen_US
dc.subjectKenyaen_US
dc.titleLow exposure to Plasmodium falciparum and Acquisition of Antibodies to Circumsporozoite Protein Antigens in Individuals Living in Western Highlands of Kenya with Unstable Malaria Transmissionen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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