Introduction to Parasitology Practice Test

Placental malaria is driven by parasites that bind to the placental tissue, a process mediated by VAR2CSA on infected red blood cells. Women develop antibodies to this placental-binding protein with prior pregnancies, so immunity to placental sequestration increases as parity rises. In a first pregnancy, these antibodies are not yet present, making placental sequestration and infection more likely. With each subsequent pregnancy, maternal immunity grows and provides protection, lowering the risk of placental malaria. Therefore, placental malaria most commonly occurs in first-time pregnant women, i.e., primigravidae.