Immunological perspectives of sub-Saharan populations under prophylaxis against malaria

Abstract

Immunity is the state of protection against infectious disease conferred either through an immune response generated by immunization or previous infection. Generated immune responses may be long lasting even lifelong or gives immediate, but short-lived protection. In malaria-endemic areas, young children and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to malaria, but with exposures protective immunity against malaria develop although sterile immunity is never achieved. Assuring protection to vulnerable populations, prophylaxis against malaria is advocated to pregnancy women and sickle cell disease children. Unfortunately, prophylaxis has been suggested to cause a decrease in exposure that curtails the development of acquired protective immunity, leaving individuals more susceptible to malaria in future. To describe this event, a review on effects of intermittent preventive therapy in pregnant women primigravidae (first pregnancy) in particular and chemoprophylaxis against malaria in sickle cell disease children was conducted.