Expanding the paradigms of placental malaria

Abstract

Despite substantial pre-existing immunity, pregnant women typically develop placental infection and associated complications. Placental parasites have specific adhesive phenotypes, and the antibodies raised against Plasmodium falciparum variant and adhesive antigens, which are produced in response to placental infection, could have protective roles. New findings suggest that binding of immunoglobulins to parasite antigens can also mediate parasite accumulation in the placenta.