Antibody and P. falciparum Parasites Profiles during Clinical MalariaEpisodes Following Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy in BurkinaFaso

Background: Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTS) are the first recommended drug foruncomplicated malaria treatment in many endemic countries. They are responsible for rapid parasites clearance andin reducing fever. Artemisinin has been found to have an immunosuppressive effect in animal's models. In thepresent study, we assessed the effect of ACTs on malaria antigens specific antibodies production during subsequentmalaria episodes in a population living in malaria hyperendemic area.Methods: In 2012, 371 patients with, presenting uncomplicated clinical malaria aged over 6 months and adultswere recruited and allocated to receive ACTs and follow up for 2 years. Antibodies titers against three P. falciparumblood stage malaria vaccine candidates (MSP3, GLURP R0, and GLURP R2) were measured by ELISA duringsubsequent malaria episodes.Results: Antibody concentration increased during subsequent malaria episodes for GLURP R0, and this wasstatistically significant. IgG to all tested antigens increased with age and this trend was maintained over all episodes.Conclusion: Asexual P. falciparum densities were showing different trends and immune responses againstcertain erythrocytic antigens were boosted during subsequent malaria episodes