Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research by Author "Abankwa, J."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Dynamics of anti-MSP3 and Pfs230 antibody responses and multiplicity of infection in asymptomatic children from southern Ghana(Parasites & vectors, 2018-01) Amoah, L.E.; Acquah, F.K.; Ayanful-Torgby, R.; Oppong, A.; Abankwa, J.; Obboh, E.K.; Singh, S.K.; Theisen, M.Background During a Plasmodium infection, exposure of human host immune cells to both the asexual and the sexual stages of the parasite elicit immune responses. These responses may be protective and prevent the development of high parasitaemia and its associated clinical symptoms, or block the transmission of malaria to an uninfected person. This study aimed at examining the dynamics of naturally acquired immune responses against the asexual and sexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum as well as assessing differences in the multiplicity of infection (MOI) in asymptomatic Ghanaian children living in two communities with varying malaria transmission intensities. Methods School children aged between 6 and 12 years were recruited from Obom, a high malaria prevalence setting and Abura, a low malaria prevalence setting and enrolled in monthly multiple cross sectional surveys between February and May 2015. Filter paper blood blots (DBS) as well as thick and thin blood smears were made from finger-pricked blood at each visit. Plasmodium falciparum parasite prevalence was determined by microscopy and PCR. Serum eluted from the DBS were used to assess anti-Pfs230 (sexual stage) and anti-MSP3 (asexual stage) antibody levels using indirect ELISA and DNA extracted from the DBS used to assess MOI. Results Malaria parasite point prevalence and MOI throughout the study was higher in Obom than Abura. The trend of parasite prevalence estimated by microscopy was similar to that determined by PCR in Obom but not in Abura. The trend of MSP3 antibody seroprevalence followed that of PCR-estimated parasite prevalence in Obom, while in Abura the trend of Pfs230 antibody seroprevalence followed that of PCR-estimated parasite prevalence. Conclusions Microscopy can more accurately predict changes in parasite prevalence in high transmission settings than low transmission settings. In high transmission settings, P. falciparum parasite prevalence can predict antibody seroprevalence to MSP3, whilst in low transmission settings, seroprevalence against Pfs230 may be a useful predictor of parasite prevalence.Item Genotypic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency protects against Plasmodium falciparum infection in individuals living in Ghana(PLOS ONE, 2021) Amoah, L.E.; Asare, K.K.; Dickson, D.; Abankwa, J.; Busayo, A.; Bredu, D.; Annan, S.; Asumah, G.A.; Peprah, N.Y.; Asamoah, A.; Malm, K.L.The global effort to eradicate malaria requires a drastic measure to terminate relapse from hypnozoites as well as transmission via gametocytes in malaria-endemic areas. Primaquine has been recommended for the treatment of P. falciparum gametocytes and P. vivax hypnozoites, however, its implementation is challenged by the high prevalence of G6PD deficient (G6PDd) genotypes in malaria endemic countries. The objective of this study was to profile G6PDd genotypic variants and correlate them with malaria prevalence in Ghana.