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Prospects and Pitfalls of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Vaccination Based on the Natural Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-Expressing Parasites
Joint Authors
Kane, Elizabeth G.
Taylor-Robinson, Andrew W.
Source
Malaria Research and Treatment
Issue
Vol. 2011, Issue 2011 (31 Dec. 2011), pp.1-21, 21 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-01-18
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
21
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Pregnancy-associated malaria, a manifestation of severe malaria, is the cause of up to 200,000 infant deaths a year, through the effects of placental insufficiency leading to growth restriction and preterm delivery.
Development of a vaccine is one strategy for control.
Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells accumulate in the placenta through specific binding of pregnancy-associated parasite variants that express the VAR2CSA antigen to chondroitin sulphate A on the surface of syncytiotrophoblast cells.
Parasite accumulation, accompanied by an inflammatory infiltrate, disrupts the cytokine balance of pregnancy with the potential to cause placental damage and compromise foetal growth.
Multigravid women develop immunity towards VAR2CSA-expressing parasites in a gravidity-dependent manner which prevents unfavourable pregnancy outcomes.
Although current vaccine design, targeting VAR2CSA antigens, has succeeded in inducing antibodies artificially, this candidate may not provide protection during the first trimester and may only protect those women living in areas endemic for malaria.
It is concluded that while insufficient information about placental-parasite interactions is presently available to produce an effective vaccine, incremental progress is being made towards achieving this goal.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Kane, Elizabeth G.& Taylor-Robinson, Andrew W.. 2012. Prospects and Pitfalls of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Vaccination Based on the Natural Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-Expressing Parasites. Malaria Research and Treatment،Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-21.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497021
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Kane, Elizabeth G.& Taylor-Robinson, Andrew W.. Prospects and Pitfalls of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Vaccination Based on the Natural Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-Expressing Parasites. Malaria Research and Treatment No. 2011 (2011), pp.1-21.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497021
American Medical Association (AMA)
Kane, Elizabeth G.& Taylor-Robinson, Andrew W.. Prospects and Pitfalls of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Vaccination Based on the Natural Immune Response to Plasmodium falciparum VAR2CSA-Expressing Parasites. Malaria Research and Treatment. 2012. Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-21.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-497021
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-497021