The influence of placental malaria infection and maternal hypergammaglobulinemia on transplacental transfer of antibodies and IgG subclasses in a rural west African population

Two hundred thirteen mother-baby pairs in The Gambia were studied to determine the influence of placental malaria infection and maternal hypergammaglobulinemia on transplacental antibody transfer. Antibody transfer for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was significantly reduced by placental malaria infection by 69%, 58%, and 55%, respectively. Maternal hypergammaglobulinemia was associated with a significant reduction in antibody transfer for HSV-1, RSV, VZV, and pneumococcus by 89%, 90%, 91%, and 88%, respectively. In addition, placental malaria infection was associated with a significant reduction in transfer of IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 (P<.01, P = .01, and P = .03, respectively) but not of IgG3 (P = .59). Maternal hypergammaglobulinemia significantly impaired the transfer of IgG1 and IgG2 (P = .01) but not of IgG3 or IgG4 (P = .62 and P = .59, respectively). Placental malaria infection and maternal hypergammaglobulinemia were associated with reduction in the transplacental transfer of these specific antibodies, IgG1, and IgG2 in this Gambian population. ©2001 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.