DIRECT COOMBS ANTIGLOBULIN REACTIONS IN GAMBIAN CHILDREN WITH PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MALARIA .2. SPECIFICITY OF ERYTHROCYTE-BOUND IGG

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (2) , 279-288
Abstract
The cause of direct Coombs (DAT) positivity in West African (Gambian) children was investigated. Results obtained from a comparison of 2 groups of primary school children, one from an area hyperendemic for P. falciparum malaria and the other partially protected from malaria, indicate an association between a high incidence of DAT positivity and P. falciparum parasitemia with raised serum antibody titers to P. falciparum schizonts. Erythrocytes from children with a high Ig[immunoglobulin]G DAT titer were subjected to acid elution and the eluates examined for IgG content and antigen specificity. Eluted IgG had specific antibody activity against P. falciparum schizont antigen as demonstrated by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique. Cross-reaction was not observed with P. falciparum gametocytes or P. malariae schizonts. No blood group specificity could be demonstrated in the red cell eluates or serum from children with DAT positive red cells. P. falciparum malaria is implicated in the etiology of Coombs positivity in Gambian children. Erythrocyte sensitization may result from passive attachment of circulating complement-fixing malaria antigen-antibody complexes.