Molecular Aspects ofPlasmodium falciparumInfectionduring Pregnancy

[摘要] Cytoadherence ofPlasmodium-falciparum-parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) to host receptors is the key phenomenon in the pathological process of the malaria disease. Some of these interactions can originate poor outcomes responsible for 1 to 3 million annual deaths mostly occurring among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) represents an important exception of the disease occurring at adulthood in malaria endemic settings. Consequences of this are shared between the mother (maternal anemia) and the baby (low birth weight and infant mortality). Demonstrating that parasites causing PAM express specific variant surface antigens (VSAPAM), including theP. falciparumerythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) variant VAR2CSA, that are targets for protective immunity has strengthened the possibility for the development of PAM-specific vaccine. In this paper, we review the molecular basis of malaria pathogenesis attributableto the erythrocyte stages of the parasites, and findings supporting potential anti-PAMvaccine components evidenced in PAM.

[学科分类] 基础医学