RESUMO
The apical membrane antigen (AMA-1) family of malaria merozoite proteins is characterised by a high degree of inter-species conservation. Evidence that the protein (PK66/AMA-1) from the simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi was protective in rhesus monkeys suggested that the 83kDa P. falciparum equivalent (PF83/AMA-1) should be investigated for protective effects in humans. Here we briefly review pertinent comparative data, and describe the use of an eukaryotic full length recombinant PF83/AMA-1 molecule to develop a sensitive ELISA for the determination of serological responses in endemic populations. The assay has revealed surprisingly high levels of humoral response to this quantitatively minor antigen. We also show that PK66/AMA-1 inhibitory mAb's are active against merozoites subsequent to release from schizont-infected red cells, further implicating AMA-1 molecules in red cell invasion.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Protozoários/imunologia , Proteínas de Membrana/imunologia , Plasmodium/imunologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/imunologia , Animais , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Humanos , Macaca mulatta/imunologia , Plasmodium falciparum/imunologia , Plasmodium knowlesi/imunologiaRESUMO
The study of relationships between Phlebotomine sandflies and different species of trees, 0 to 1.5 m above ground, was carried out in the French Guiana forest. We found that certain forest trees are more propitious than others to the development or maintenance of certain leishmaniasis vectors. Lu. umbratilis, vector of Leishmania braziliensis guyanensis, represents between 28 and 88% of samples collected on trunks. The association of Lu. umbratilis and Lu. rorotaensis represents between 58 and 98% Lu. flaviscutellata, vector of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis, frequently caught on humans, was not found on tree trunks.