Cross immunofluorescent reactions between human and rodent malaria

Abstract

By the immunofluorescent antibody method, positive serological diagnosis of human malaria was made using Plasmodium falciparum or P. berghei with a titer of 1:4 or higher as an antigen. There was no difference in titer with either species of plasmodium, and no false positive result was obtained among 30 control sera. The test is simple and may be carried out on dry smears that have been stored in a deep freezer. P. berghei berghei shows considerable cross reactivity with P. falciparum in the serologic method as well as in the localization of parasites in human tissue. It appears to be a useful antigen which can easily be maintained in laboratory mice.