Malaria Vaccine: An Overview
There is currently no
malaria vaccine approved for human use; however, many malaria research scientists all over the world are working on developing an effective malaria vaccine. Because other methods of fighting malaria, including drugs, insecticides, and bed nets, have not succeeded in eliminating the disease, the search for a malaria vaccine is considered to be one of the most important research projects concerning public health.
Malaria Vaccine: Challenges
Malaria research scientists have been trying to develop an effective malaria vaccine for over 50 years. To date, most malaria vaccine research has focused on developing an effective vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the most serious form of malaria. There have been two main challenges. First, the malaria parasite is a complex organism with a complicated life cycle. There are four species of malaria parasites that infect people:
- Plasmodium vivax
- Plasmodium ovale
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium malariae.
Each of these four species is composed of a number of strains that are genetically different. These strains have four different stages once the malaria parasite infects the body, and the antigens (which are what the body targets to kill the parasite) also differ.
The second challenge involved in developing a malaria vaccine is that scientists do not yet fully understand the complex immune responses that protect humans against malaria.
Therefore, in order to be effective, a malaria vaccine must account for the genetic diversity of both the parasite and the human host, and provide effective immunity against different life-cycle stages.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print