Anti- MSP-1_(19) antibody (IgG) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) response against malaria infection in pregnancy in South Western Nigeria

Objective:Although immunity to malaria is reduced in pregnancy,the maternal immune system still continues to respond to malaria infection by the production of antibodies.IgG has been reported to play significant role in immune response against P.falciparum.Anti-MSP-119 antibody and reactive oxygen species have been shown to be protective against malaria infection in children.This work assessed the response of anti-MSP-119 antibody（a promising blood stage vaccine candidate antigen） and oxidative stress in 250 pregnant women.Methods: Blood samples were collected in dry and wet seasons.Plasmodium falciparum infection was determined by microscopy, anti-MSP-119 IgG level was investigated using ELISA.Malondiadelhyde（MDA） and reduced glutathione （GSH） were used as indicators of oxidative stress and they were quantified spectrophotometrically.Results: Parasitaemia was significantly higher（P【0.05） in wet than dry season and its level decreased with gravidity.There was a significant increase（P【0.05） in anti-MSP-119 IgG and MDA levels in the dry than wet season.Anti-MSP-119 IgG and MDA levels were significantly higher in P.falciparum positive primigravidae than P.falciparum negative primigravidae in both wet and dry seasons.In wet season anti-MSP-119 IgG level was significantly increased（P【0.05） in P.falciparum positive multigravidae than P.falciparum negative. The anti-MSP-119 IgG and MDA were significant higher in P.falciparum positive multigravidae than primigravidae. Reduced glutathione（GSH） level was significantly reduced（P【0.05） among malaria positive than malaria negative patients in both seasons.Conclusion:This study suggests that IgG and MDA response were positively associated with the presence of malaria infection.

Role of malaria induced oxidative stress on anaemia in pregnancy

Objective:To assess the role of oxidative stress on anaemia in pregnancy.Methods:Blood samples were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant women who came for antenatal clinic and medical check at Comprehensive Health Center,Akungba-Akoko and Iwaro General Hospital in Akoko Area of Ondo State,Nigeria.Thick and thin blood films were prepared and used for malaria parasite counts.Haemoglobin level was determined by colorimetric method using Drabkin’s solution.Oxidative status was determined using malondiadelhyde level as an indicator of lipid peroxidation,while ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione levels were measured by standard spectrophotometric methods.Results:Mean parasite density was significantly higher in pregnant women than non-pregnant women(P【0.05).Haemoglobin level was significantly reduced in malaria positive pregnant and non-pregnant women than malaria negative(8.3-10.0 g/dL)(P【0.05).The oxidative status indicated that malondialdehyde(MDA) was significantly increased in pregnant[(2.5±0.7) nmol/mL]than non-pregnant women[(1.8±0.1) nmol/mL] (P【0.05),while Vit C and superoxide dismutase(SOD) levels were significantly reduced in pregnant than non-pregnant women(P【0.05).There was an inverse correlation between Hb and MDA levels in pregnant women studied.Positive correlation was observed between the mean MDA level and parasite density(r = 0.53).The Hb level decreased as the parasite density and MDA level increased in pregnant women.Conclusions:This study shows that oxidative stress, caused by malaria infection could be part of the contributing factors responsible for anaemia in pregnancy.