Iron deficiency is associated with reduced levels of Plasmodium falciparum-specific antibodies in African children.

Caroline K Bundi; Angela Nalwoga; Lawrence Lubyayi; John Muthii Muriuki; Reagan M Mogire; Herbert Opi; Alexander J Mentzer; Cleopatra K Mugyenyi; Jedida Mwacharo; Emily L Webb; Philip Bejon; Thomas N Williams; Joseph K Gikunju; James G Beeson; Alison M Elliott; Francis M Ndungu; Sarah H Atkinson

Journal article

Iron deficiency is associated with reduced levels of Plasmodium falciparum-specific antibodies in African children.

Caroline K Bundi, Angela Nalwoga, Lawrence Lubyayi, John Muthii Muriuki, Reagan M Mogire, Herbert Opi, Alexander J Mentzer, Cleopatra K Mugyenyi, Jedida Mwacharo, Emily L Webb, Philip Bejon, Thomas N Williams, Joseph K Gikunju, James G Beeson, Alison M Elliott, Francis M Ndungu, Sarah H Atkinson

Clinical Infectious Diseases | Published : 2020

DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa728

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) and malaria are common causes of ill-health and disability among children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Although iron is critical for the acquisition of humoral immunity, little is known about the effects of ID on antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. METHODS: The study included 1,794 Kenyan and Ugandan children aged 0-7 years. We measured biomarkers of iron and inflammation, and antibodies to P falciparum antigens including apical merozoite antigen 1 (anti-AMA-1) and merozoite surface antigen 1 (anti-MSP-1) in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ID was 31%. ID was associated with lower anti-AMA-1 and an..

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