Acquired immune response to defined Plasmodium vivax antigens in individuals residing in northern India

In this investigation, we evaluated the naturally acquired immune response to Plasmodium vivax stage-specific antigens in individuals of different age groups belonging to malaria endemic areas of northern India. Four synthetic peptides containing both B- and T-cell epitopes from P. vivax circumsporozoite protein, merozoite surface protein-1, apical membrane antigen-1 and gametocyte surface antigen-1 were used to determine both humoral and cellular immune responses. Immunity, in terms of antibody response and T-cell proliferation against these stage-specific peptides, has been observed in the study subjects. The results demonstrated age-dependent antibody response in this population. Forty two patients were diagnosed with P. vivax. There was a significant association (P=0.013) between number of antibody responders and recognition of stage-specific epitopes by antibodies. The antibody response to B-epitopes of P. vivax CSP, MSP1, AMA1 and GAM1 was associated with age; adults responded more frequently to these antigens than did younger children. In this population, 66% (201/304) cases showed seropositivity to all peptides and 13% (41/304) showed negative response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of more than 75% of individuals proliferated in response to stimulation by all four epitopes. In conclusion, the results demonstrated immunogenicity of the epitopes to P. vivax in population of this endemic zone.