Severe Malaria and Immunoglobulin G Titers in Children

The pathogenesis of malaria depends on the interaction between Plasmodium and the host's immune system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between parasitemia and anti-Plasmodium falciparum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers. This cross-sectional study included 37 children aged 0 to 15 years with severe malaria. Anti-Plasmodium falciparum IgG titers were measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Parasitemia ranged from 360 to 400,000 trophozoites, with a mean of 48,525 trophozoites/mm³. Hemoglobin concentration ranged from 3.4 to 10.7 g/dL, with a mean of 6.28 g/dL. The mean platelet count was 110.18 × 10³/mm³, ranging from 17 to 506 × 10³/mm³. The anti-Plasmodium falciparum IgG titer ranged from 40 to 320, with a mean of 220. Hyperparasitemia (parasitemia ¿ 100,000 trophozoites/mm³) was present in patients aged 0 to 5 years. The mean anti-Plasmodium falciparum IgG titer was significantly higher in subjects with a parasitemia of