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

Kwame Kumi Asare; Benjamin Agrah; Fiifi Solomon Ofori-Acquah; William Kudzi; Nii Ayite Aryee; Linda Eva Amoah

doi:10.1186/s12865-024-00607-1

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

BMC Immunol. 2024 Feb 9;25(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s12865-024-00607-1.

Authors

Kwame Kumi Asare^#^{1

2}, Benjamin Agrah^#³, Fiifi Solomon Ofori-Acquah⁴, William Kudzi⁴, Nii Ayite Aryee³, Linda Eva Amoah⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
² Biomedical and Clinical Research Centre, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
³ Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Korle- Bu, Accra, Ghana.
⁴ West Africa Genetic Medicine Centre, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. levaamoah@noguchi.ug.edu.gh.

^# Contributed equally.

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 falciparum 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 variants 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 throughout 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 significantly (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 significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in HbAS compared to HbAC. Similarly, Pfs230 IgG and PfEBA-175-3R IgG distributions observed across the haemoglobin variants were significantly higher in HbAC relative to HbAS.

Conclusion: The study has shown that haemoglobin variants significantly influence the pattern of anti-gSG6-P1, Pfs230, and PfEBA-175 IgG levels in malaria-endemic population. The HbAS genotype is suggested to confer protection against malaria infection. Reduced exposure to infection ultimately reduces the induction of antibodies targeted against P. falciparum antigens.

Keywords: Capillarys 2 flex piercing analyzer; Heamoglobin S and C; Immunoglobulin G; Salivary gland antigen; Symptomatic malaria.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Blood Group Antigens*
Genotype
Ghana / epidemiology
Hemoglobins / metabolism
Humans
Immunity
Immunoglobulin G
Malaria*
Malaria, Falciparum* / epidemiology
Plasmodium falciparum

Substances

Hemoglobins
Immunoglobulin G
Blood Group Antigens