Specific and nonspecific immunodiagnostic properties of recombinant and syntheticPlasmodium falciparum antigens

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Abstract
SixPlasmodium falciparum/β-galactosidase fusion proteins produced by a genomic DNA expression library, and two syntheticPlasmodium falciparumantigens were applied to ELISA and tested for their immunodiagnostic properties. Results were compared to reference methods, i.e. fluorescence antibody test with whole cell antigen and ELISA with detergentsoluble crude schizont antigen. AntiPlasmodium falciparumantibodies could be detected by these molecular antigens to varying extents in human sera. Undesired reactivity to fusion proteins due to the high prevalence of antibodies toβ-galactosidase in human sera and undesired reactivity to one of the synthetic antigens (P12) frequently occurred. The antibodies responsible for the nonspecific reactivity could not be identified. It was concluded that the application of molecularPlasmodium falciparumantigens to ELISA represents a practicable approach to immunodiagnosis of malaria if the construction of epitopes that bind antibodies other thanPlasmodium falciparumantibodies can be avoided.