Open AccessInfluence of host factors and parasite biomass on the severity of imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Author(s) -
Nicolas Argy,
Éric Kendjo,
Claire Augé-Courtoi,
Sandrine Cojean,
Jérôme Clain,
Pascal Houzé,
Marc Thellier,
Véronique Hubert,
Philippe Deloron,
Sandrine Houzé
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0175328
Subject(s) - malaria , parasite hosting , plasmodium falciparum , serology , immunology , antibody , biology , population , epidemiology , plasmodium (life cycle) , medicine , environmental health , world wide web , computer science
Objectives Imported malaria in France is characterized by various clinical manifestations observed in a heterogeneous population of patients such as travelers/expatriates and African migrants. In this population, host factors and parasite biomass associated with severe imported malaria are poorly known. Methods From data collected by the Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, we identified epidemiological, demographic and biological features including parasite biomass and anti-plasmodial antibody levels (negative, positive and strongly positive serology) associated with different disease severity groups (very severe, moderately severe, and uncomplicated malaria) in 3 epidemiological groups (travelers/expatriates, first- and second-generation migrants). Results Age, ethnicity, absence of prior infection with P . falciparum , antibody levels, plasma PfHRP2 levels, total and circulating parasite biomass were related to severe malaria onset. Sequestered parasite biomass tended to be increased in very severe malaria, and was strongly correlated to the antibody level of the host. Conclusions Prior exposure to P . falciparum is associated with high anti-plasmodial antibody levels which influence clinical presentation of imported malaria and its correlated circulating and sequestered parasite burden.