IMMUNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MALARIA IN GHANA VOLUME I IMMUNOEPIDEMIOLOGY OF MALARIA IN GHANA VOLUME II IMMUNOPATHOLOGICAL SEQUELAE OF MALARIA

ABSTRACT A comprehensive immunological survey of malaria in rural and urban populations in Ghana is reported. Sera from Ghanaians resident in Ghana and Ghanaian students resident in the United Kingdom and Germany, pregnant women, blood donors and from patients with acute malaria, nephrotic syndrome, tropical splenomegaly, Burkitt's lymphoma, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and tuberculosis were included. Control sera were obtained from healthy adult Caucasians, Caucasians with connective tissue and parasitic diseases other than malaria, non-immune Caucasians with primary malaria infections and Nigerians. Serum from monkeys (Macaca mulatta) infected with P.knowlesi were also tested. Infecting parasites were identified by examination of blood slides. Malarial antibodies were detected by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA)and immunofluorescence (IFA). Antibodies to M.tuberculosis, V.cholerae, T.pallidum, E .histolytica, T.gondii, T.gambiense, T.rhodesiense, S.mansoni and T.canis were determined by a 'rapid' IFA test. Onchocercal antibodies were determined by ELISA using 0.gutturosa antigen. Antibodies to Epstein Barr Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were measured by IFA and passive haemagglutination inhibition respectively. Serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, albumin, complement C3, C3 converted products, immune complexes and autoimmune antibodies were measured. All data were analysed by computer. The value of ELISA in the diagnosis and epidemiology of malarial infection was demonstrated in this study and the results showed good correlation with those obtained by immunofluorescence. Both tests were employed in the studies of malaria in rural and urban populations. The analysis of