Immune responses to P falciparum antibodies in symptomatic malaria patients with variant hemoglobin genotypes in Ghana

Abstract

Background Haemoglobin (Hb) variants such as sickle cell trait (SCT/HbAS) play a role in protecting against clinical malaria, but little is known about the development of immune responses against malaria parasite (Plasmodium falci parum surface protein 230 (Pfs230) and Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen 175 region-3 (PfEBA175 3R)) and vector (on the An. gambiae Salivary Gland Protein-6 peptide 1 (gSG6-P1)) antigens in individuals with vari‑ ants Hb genotypes. This study assessed antibody (IgG) responses against malaria parasite, Pfs230 and PfEBA175-3R and vector, gSG6-P1 in febrile individuals with variant Hb genotypes. Methods The study was conducted on symptomatic malaria patients attending various healthcare facilities through‑ out Ghana. Microscopy and ELISA were used to determine the natural IgG antibody levels of gSG6-P1, PfEBA175-3R & Pfs230, and Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing was used for Hb variants determination. Results Of the 600 symptomatic malaria patients, 50.0% of the participants had malaria parasites by microscopy. The majority 79.0% (398/504) of the participants had Hb AA, followed by HbAS variant at 11.3% (57/504) and HbAC 6.7% (34/504). There were signifcantly (p<0.0001) reduced levels of gSG6-P1 IgG in individuals with both HbAC and HbAS genotypes compared to the HbAA genotype. The levels of gSG6-P1 IgG were signifcantly (p<0.0001) higher in HbAS compared to HbAC. Similarly, Pfs230 IgG and PfEBA-175-3R IgG distributions observed across the haemoglobin vari‑ ants were signifcantly higher in HbAC relative to HbAS. Conclusion The study has shown that haemoglobin variants signifcantly infuence the pattern of anti-gSG6-P1, Pfs230, and PfEBA-175 IgG levels in malaria-endemic population. The HbAS genotype is suggested to confer protec‑ tion against malaria infection. Reduced exposure to infection ultimately reduces the induction of antibodies targeted against P. falciparum antigens