Tuikue Ndam Nicaise auteur aut IRD Salanti A. auteur aut IRD Le Hesran Jean-Yves auteur aut IRD Cottrell Gilles auteur aut IRD Fievet Nadine auteur aut IRD Turner L. auteur aut IRD Sow S. auteur aut IRD Dangou J.M. auteur aut IRD Theander T. auteur aut IRD Deloron Philippe auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng Background. Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is precipitated by the accumulation of parasites in the placental intervillous spaces and causes maternal anemia and low birth weight. In PAM, placental parasites adhere to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) through a unique set of variant surface antigens (VSA(PAM)). Several studies have shown that 1 var gene, var2csa, is transcribed at high levels and expressed in CSA-binding Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Methods. Plasma levels of anti-VAR2CSA immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Senegalese women were measured during pregnancy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using 3 recombinant proteins representing 3 domains of the var2csa gene product. Results. The 3 recombinant proteins were specifically recognized by plasma from pregnant women but not by control plasma. A parity-dependent recognition pattern was observed with 2 of the 3 VAR2CSA antigens. A kinetic study demonstrated that a single P. falciparum infection was able to trigger a VAR2CSA-specific antibody response. Among women with infected placentas, women with high anti-VAR2CSA IgG levels at enrollment were more likely to present with a past infection than with an acute/chronic infection. Conclusions. Anti-VAR2CSA IgGs are involved in clinical protection against pregnancy-associated malaria and strengthens the hope for making a VAR2CSA- based vaccine. specialized SENEGAL 050 193 5 713-720 2006 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00000809 10.1086/500146 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00000809 IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2006-03-30 2017-08-23 PAR00000809 fre