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Malaria antibody persistence correlates with duration of exposure
Author(s) -
Faddy H. M.,
Seed C. R.,
Faddy M. J.,
Flower R. L.,
Harley R. J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/vox.12000
Subject(s) - malaria , antibody , persistence (discontinuity) , immunology , medicine , immune system , engineering , geotechnical engineering
Background and Objectives In Australia, the risk of transfusion‐transmitted malaria is managed through the identification of ‘at‐risk’ donors, antibody screening enzyme‐linked immunoassay (EIA) and, if reactive, exclusion from fresh blood component manufacture. Donor management depends on the duration of exposure in malarious regions (>6 months: ‘Resident’, <6 months: ‘Visitor’) or a history of malaria diagnosis. We analysed antibody testing and demographic data to investigate antibody persistence dynamics. To assess the yield from retesting 3 years after an initial EIA reactive result, we estimated the proportion of donors who would become non‐reactive over this period. Materials and Methods Test results and demographic data from donors who were malaria EIA reactive were analysed. Time since possible exposure was estimated and antibody survival modelled. Results Among seroreverters, the time since last possible exposure was significantly shorter in ‘Visitors’ than in ‘Residents’. The antibody survival modelling predicted 20% of previously EIA reactive ‘Visitors’, but only 2% of ‘Residents’ would become non‐reactive within 3 years of their first reactive EIA. Conclusion Antibody persistence in donors correlates with exposure category, with semi‐immune ‘Residents’ maintaining detectable antibodies significantly longer than non‐immune ‘Visitors’.