DIRECT COOMBS ANTIGLOBULIN REACTIONS IN GAMBIAN CHILDREN WITH PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MALARIA .1. INCIDENCE AND CLASS SPECIFICITY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 35  (1) , 119-127
Abstract
Gambian children with past or present P. falciparum malaria were investigated for the incidence of Coombs positivity using monospecific antisera. Approximately 50% were positive and the most frequent form of erythrocyte sensitization was with C3d [d fragment of complement component 3]. Other specificities, EIg[erythrocyte, immunoglobulin]G, EIgGC3d and EIgGC4bC3bC3d were less common. E were never found sensitized with IgA or IgM. There was no correlation between a positive test and age, tribal status or level of parasitemia at presentation, although a positive test was often found associated with anemia. Sensitized E were present in the circulation for a period of up to 6 wk following initial observation. The mechanism of E sensitization is not known, but the results suggest a Type III complex-mediated hypersensitivity involving parasite antigen-antibody complexes. These reactions may contribute to the pathogenesis of anemia in P. falciparum malaria.