Seasonal variations in antibody response to a Plasmodium falciparum recombinant circumsporozoite antigen in two villages in south western Nigeria

Abstract

An Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), employing a
recombinant peptide capture antigen (R32tet32) was used to detect
antibodies against the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of the malaria
parasite, Plasmodium falciparum in 169 serum samples from 16 subjects
from two villages, Afefu (FA) and Tobalogbo (TB), in Igbo-Ora
Community of Oyo State, over a period of 12 months. The maximum and
mean Ab response for FA was higher than for TB samples (0.511
AU±0.170, 0.124±0.045U and 0.250±0.070 AU, 0.090±0.019AU
respectively), with the mean Ab being significantly different (t=2.313;
P>0.05). Despite both villages (FA and TB) falling within the same
rainfall data zone, the Ab response profile for FA showed a positive
(seasonal) relationship with rainfall (r=+0.31, P>0.05) while that of TB
was negatively correlated (r=-0.32; P>0.05). Habits and the environment
could be prime contributing factors alongside the less controllable
immunogenetic factors. Data obtained here would serve as baseline and
we suggest other expanded sample size studies to include data on
temperature and other climatic factors to help establish sub-populations
at risk and better empower malariologists in planning and execution of
control programmes (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 9: 37 – 43, 2006)

Keywords: Antibodies, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA),
Circumsporozoite Protein,, Antigen