AUTHOR=Rogier Eric , Nace Doug , Dimbu Pedro R. , Wakeman Brian , Beeson James G. , Drakeley Chris , Tetteh Kevin , Plucinski Mateusz 

TITLE=Antibody dynamics in children with first or repeat Plasmodium falciparum infections

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.869028

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2022.869028

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<p>Immunoglobulin (Ig) production during and after infection with <italic>Plasmodium</italic> parasites is one of the greatest adaptive immune defenses the human host has against this parasite. Infection with <italic>P. falciparum</italic> has been shown to induce different B cell maturation responses dependent upon the age of the patient, number of previous exposures, and severity of the disease. Described here are dynamics of Ig responses to a panel of 32 <italic>P. falciparum</italic> antigens by patients followed for 42 days and classified individuals as showing characteristics of an apparent first <italic>P. falciparum</italic> infection (naïve) or a repeat exposure (non-naïve). Six parameters were modeled to characterize the dynamics of IgM, IgG<sub>1</sub>, IgG<sub>3</sub>, and IgA for these two exposure groups with differences assessed among Ig isotypes/subclasses and unique antigens. Naïve patients had significantly longer periods of time to reach peak Ig titer (range 4–7 days longer) and lower maximum Ig titers when compared with non-naïve patients. Modeled time to seronegativity was significantly higher in non-naïve patients for IgM and IgA, but not for the two IgG subclasses. IgG<sub>1</sub> responses to Rh2030, HSP40, and PfAMA1 were at the highest levels for non-naïve participants and may be used to predict previous or nascent exposure by themselves. The analyses presented here demonstrate the differences in the development of the Ig response to <italic>P. falciparum</italic> if the infection represents a boosting response or a primary exposure. Consistency in Ig isotype/subclasses estimates and specific data for <italic>P. falciparum</italic> antigens can better guide interpretation of seroepidemiological data among symptomatic persons.</p>