MALARIAL ANTIBODIES AND AUTOANTIBODIES TO HEART AND OTHER TISSUES IN THE IMMIGRANT AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF UGANDA

An immunological syndrome consisting of high titres of malarial antibody and the presence of high levels of IgM and circulating autoantibodies to heart, thyroid, and gastric parietal cells has been delineated in immigrant and indigenous peoples of Uganda. This syndrome is seen particularly amongst those who have come from areas of low malarial endemicity to live in areas of high malarial endemicity, but the same immunological condition may be seen although far less frequently, in the people indigenous to the highly endemic malarial areas. It is suggested that this immunological background may condition the susceptibility of these individuals to certain disorders (e.g., endomyocardial fibrosis) and/or condition the pathogenesis of these disorders.