Evaluating the Effect of Placental Malaria at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

Evaluating the effect of placental malaria infection on efficiency of transplacental transfer of RSV-specific antibodies among pregnant women in Kilifi, Kenya

• Maternal Immunization to prevent hospitalization of infants caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infection, is being considered a realistic approach. A maternal vaccine with 82% efficacy within the first 3 months of life is licenced and approved for use in high income countries. Plans are currently underway to introduce this vaccine in lower-middle income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya where the burden of RSV associated disease among young infants is very high. However, the effectiveness of this vaccine in LMICs is likely to be affected by comorbidities such as malaria infection which is endemic in Kilifi and has been associated with impaired efficiency of transplacental transfer of IgG antibodies, besides poor pregnancy outcomes. This study therefore aims to evaluate the effect of placental malaria infection on efficiency of transplacental transfer of RSV specific antibodies. This study will utilize placental tissues, cord and maternal paired blood samples collected from pregnant women participating in a Maternal Immunisation study.