Vaccination Against Blood-Stage Malaria: Models, Strategies and Efficacy

摘要

Malaria infects 300 to 500 million people and causes 1 to 2 million deaths, mostly of children, per year. Deaths are due to cerebral hypoxia, severe acidosis, hypovolemia, hypoglycemia and severe anemia (hypoxia) or a combination thereof. Chronic, non-lethal malaria infections result in a decrease of economic viability for affected regions. Four species of malaria infect human beings, P. falciparum, P. vivax (the two most common), P. ovale and P. malariae. P. falciparum is the most virulent, causingmost of the mortality associated with malaria. Malaria parasites are transmitted by Anopheline mosquitoes, and have a complex life cycle that includes mosquito, hepatocyte and erythrocyte stages. The goal of researchers in the field of malaria pathogenesis is to prevent or ameliorate disease through vaccines or through pharmaceutical intervention. The erythrocyte stage of the life cycle is a logical place to intervene, as that is where all of the morbidity and mortality of malaria infection occurs.