FcGammaRIIa polymorphism and anti-malaria specific IgG and IgG subclass responses in populations differing in susceptibility to malaria in Burkina Faso

Fc¿RIIa is known to be polymorphic; and certain variants err associated with differt susceptibilities to malaria. Studies involving the Fulani ethnic group reported an ethnic difference in Fc¿RIIa-R131H genotype frequencies between the Fulani and other sympatric groups. No previous studies have addressed these questions in Burkina Faso. The present study aimed to assess the influence of Fc¿RIIa-R131H polymorphism on anti- falciparum malaria IgG and IgG subclass responses in the Fulani and the Mossi ethnic groups living in Burkina-Faso. Healthy adults more than 20 years old belonging to the Mossi or the Fulani ethnic groups were enrolled for the assessment of selected parasitological, immunological and genetic variables in relation to their susceptibility to malaria. The attendance of the Plasmodium falciparum infection frequency was relatively low in the Fulani group ethnic compared to the Mossi ethnic group. For all tested antigens, the Fulani had higher antibody levels than the Mossi group. In both ethnic groups, a similar distribution of Fc¿RIIa R131H polymorphism was found. Individuals with the R allele of Fc¿RIIa had higher antibodies levels than those with the H allele. The present study confirmed that malaria infection affected less the Fulani group than the Mossi group. Fc¿RIIa-R131H allele distribution is similar in both ethnic groups and higher antibodies levels are associated with the Fc¿RIIa R allele compared to the H allele.