Demonstration of antibodies against Plasmodium Vivax using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IFAT) in patients with malaria and those under risk in the region of Çukurova

DEMONSTRATION OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST PLASMODIUM VIVAX USING THE INDIRECT FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE (IFAT) IN PATIENTS WITH MALARIA AND THOSE UNDER RISK IN THE REGION OF ÇUKUROVA 7.SUMMARY The presence of IgG and IgM antibodies formed against malaria was investigated in a total of 652 serum samples from 441 malaria patients and 211 normal individuals using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique with both homologous and heterologous antigens. P.vivax antibodies were evaluated as positive at a dilution of 1/64 for IgG, 1/16 for IgM and above both dilutions. Out of 441 samples found to be positive in the thick smear, 305 (69.16%) were found to be positive with the homologous antigen. Only 19 (4.30%) were found to be positive with the P.berghei heterologous antigen. Out of 211 samples found to be negative in the thick smear, significant antibody titers were detected in 13 (6.16%) using the P.vivax homologous antigen. In this group no significant titers were found with the P.berghei heterologous antigen. The sensitivity of the homologous P.vivax antigen was found to be 69.16% and the specificity, 93.84%. The sensitivity of the heterologous P.berghei antigen was found to be 4.30% and the specificity, 1.00%. A significant antibody titer was detected in blood taken during the acute phase in 59.01 % of persons infected with P.vivax for the first time. The fact, that out of persons who had not had clinical malaria and were found to be negative with the thick smear 2.76% gave an antibody response, indicates that there are inapparent cases of malaria in this area. In conclusion, it may be suggested that for the diagnosis of malaria, the IFA technique should be used along with the thick smear. 40