Relationship between human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coinfection, anemia, and levels and function of antibodies to variant surface antigens in pregnancy-associated malaria

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection decreases antibodies to variant surface antigens implicated in pregnancy-associated malaria (VSA-PAM) caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The effect of HIV-1 on antibody functions that may protect mothers from pregnancy-associated malaria is unknown. Sera from multigravid pregnant women with malaria and HIV-1 coinfection (n = 58) or malaria alone (n = 29) and from HIV-1-infected (n = 102) or -uninfected (n = 54) multigravidae without malaria were analyzed for anti-VSAPAM antibodies by flow cytometry, the ability to inhibit adhesion to chondroitin sulfate A, or to opsonize CS2-infected erythrocytes for phagocytosis by THP-1 cells. In women with malaria, anti-VSA-PAM levels correlated better with opsonic activity (r = 0.60) than with adhesion-blocking activity (r = 0.33). In univariate analysis, HIV-1 coinfection was associated with lower opsonic activity but not adhesion-blocking activity or anti-VSA-PAM levels. Malaria-infected women with anemia (hemoglobin levels of <11.0 g/dl) had lower opsonic activity than nonanemic women (P = 0.007) independent of HIV-1 status. By multivariate analysis, in malaria-infected women, anemia (but not HIV status) was associated with opsonic activity. In women without malaria, opsonic activity was not associated with either anemia or HIV-1 status. In multigravid pregnant women with malaria, impaired serum opsonic activity may contribute to anemia and possibly to the decreased immunity to pregnancy-associated malaria associated with HIV-1. Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.