MedWorm: Malaria Vaccine

Towards achieving Abuja targets: identifying and addressing barriers to access and use of insecticides treated nets among the poorest populations in Kenya

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Significant resources have been directed towards addressing affordability barriers through providing free ITNs to vulnerable groups, but the success of these interventions depends largely on the degree to which other barriers to access are addressed. Only if additional efforts are directed towards addressing non-financial barriers to access, will high coverage levels be achieved and sustained. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

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Discovery Of Barrier In Mosquito Midgut That Protects Invading Pathogens May Lead To New Strategies For Blocking Malaria Transmission

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

What: Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito - the main vector of malaria - have found that when the mosquito takes a blood meal, that act triggers two enzymes to form a network of crisscrossing proteins around the ingested blood... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

A Genetically Attenuated Parasite Vaccine Does Not Require Liver Stage Persistence to Elicit Sterile Protective Immunity against Sporozoite‐Induced Malaria in Mice

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:18:28 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 201, Issue 8, Page 1270-1271, 15 April 2010. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Malaria in pregnant women: Step towards a new vaccine

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Tomatine Adjuvantation of Protective Immunity to a Major Pre-erythrocytic Vaccine Candidate of Malaria is Mediated via CD8+ T Cell Release of IFN-γ

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:50:05 +0100

The glycoalkaloid tomatine, derived from the wild tomato, can act as a powerful adjuvant to elicit an antigen-specific cell-mediated immune response to the circumsporozoite (CS) protein, a major pre-erythrocytic stage malaria vaccine candidate antigen. Using a defined MHC-class-I-restricted CS epitope in a Plasmodium berghei rodent model, antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and IFN-γ secretion ex vivo were both significantly enhanced compared to responses detected from similarly stimulated splenocytes from naive and tomatine-saline-immunized mice. Further, through lymphocyte depletion it is demonstrated that antigen-specific IFN-γ is produced exclusively by the CD8+ T cell subset. We conclude that the processing of the P. berghei CS peptide as an exogenous antige...

Design and utilization of epitope-based databases and predictive tools

Immunogenetics — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:05:34 +0100

Abstract In the last decade, significant progress has been made in expanding the scope and depth of publicly available immunological databases and online analysis resources, which have become an integral part of the repertoire of tools available to the scientific community for basic and applied research. Herein, we present a general overview of different resources and databases currently available. Because of our association with the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource, this resource is reviewed in more detail. Our review includes aspects such as the development of formal ontologies and the type and breadth of analytical tools available to predict epitopes and analyze immune epitope data. A common feature of immunological databases is the requirement to host larg...

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Malaria In Pregnant Women : A First Step Towards A New Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

By managing to express the protein that enables red blood cells infected with the malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum to bind to the placenta and by deciphering its molecular mechanisms, a team of researchers from CNRS and the Institut Pasteur has taken an important first step in the development of a vaccine against pregnancy-associated malaria. Their work was published in the journal PNAS. In endemic areas where malaria is rife, the main victims are children less than three years old... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Malaria In Pregnant Women : A First Step Towards A New Vaccine

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

By managing to express the protein that enables red blood cells infected with the malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum to bind to the placenta and by deciphering its molecular mechanisms, a team of researchers from CNRS and the Institut Pasteur has taken an important first step in the development of a vaccine against pregnancy-associated malaria. Their work was published in the journal PNAS... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Convergent ethical issues in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria vaccine trials in Africa: Report from the WHO/UNAIDS African AIDS Vaccine Programme's Ethics, Law and Human Rights Collaborating Centre consultation, 10-11 February 2009, Durban, South Africa.

BMC Medical Ethics — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The consultation revealed that while there have been few attempts to find convergence on ethical issues between HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria vaccine trial fields to date, there is much common ground and scope for convergence work between stakeholders in the three fields. (Source: BMC Medical Ethics)

Neglected tropical diseases

British Medical Bulletin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:36:35 +0100

Conclusion Although there are proven strategies to control several NTDs, these diseases continue to cause a massive burden of morbidity. There is urgent need for more basic and operational research, drug and vaccine development, and greater prioritization by governments and international agencies. (Source: British Medical Bulletin)

Acquisition of antibodies to merozoite surface protein 3 among residents of Korogwe, north eastern Tanzania

BMC Infectious Diseases — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Individuals with higher levels of IgG3 might be partially protected from malaria infection. Higher levels of total IgG and IgM in highlands might be due to low exposure to malaria infection, recent infection or presence of cross-reactive antigens. Further studies of longitudinal nature are recommended. Data obtained from this study were used in selection of one village (Kwashemshi) for conducting MSP3 phase 1b malaria vaccine trial in Korogwe. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

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Biotec Visions 2010, March-April.

Biotechnology Journal — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: News: Attraction of adipose tissue - Swine flu vaccine from insectcells - MicroRNA in multiple sclerosis - Proteomic detection of adenoma - Systematic engineering for arsenic removal - Bacterial cellulose to make blood vessels - The recipe for primordial soup: acid or bitter, hot or warm - Increased O(2) in hollow fiber bioreactors - Eye stem cells to treat immune disease - Super-strong collagen - Designing functional metalloproteins - Higher oil content in tobacco leaves - Alternative metabolic routes - New compass point blot helps find hTERT factors - Extracellular signals - doomed cells in the bacterial communityJournal Highlights: Oils and fats for the chemical industry - Molecular Nutrition ReviewsNew from the Encyclopedia of Life Sciences:EM analysis of protein structur...

Apical Surface Expression of Aspartic Protease Plasmepsin 4, a Potential Transmission-blocking Target of the Plasmodium Ookinete [Microbiology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:37:13 +0100

To invade its definitive host, the mosquito, the malaria parasite must cross the midgut peritrophic matrix that is composed of chitin cross-linked by chitin-binding proteins and then develop into an oocyst on the midgut basal lamina. Previous evidence indicates that Plasmodium ookinete-secreted chitinase is important in midgut invasion. The mechanistic role of other ookinete-secreted enzymes in midgut invasion has not been previously examined. De novo mass spectrometry sequencing of a protein obtained by benzamidine affinity column of Plasmodium gallinaceum ookinete axenic culture supernatant demonstrated the presence of an ookinete-secreted plasmepsin, an aspartic protease previously only known to be present in the digestive vacuole of asexual stage malaria parasites. This plasmepsin, the...

Atomic evidence that modification of H-bonds established with amino acids critical for host cell binding induces sterile immunity against malaria.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research communications — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Patarroyo ME, Cifuentes G, Piraján C, Moreno-Vranich A, Vanegas M Based on the 3D X-ray crystallographic structures of relevant proteins of the malaria parasite involved in invasion to host cells and 3D NMR structures of High Activity Binding peptides (HABPs) and their respective analogues, it was found that HABPs are rendered into highly immunogenic and sterile immunity inducers in the Aotus experimental model by modifying those amino acids that establish H bonds with other HABPs or binding to host's cells. This finding adds striking and novel physicochemical principles, at the atomic level, for a logical and rational vaccine development methodology against infectious disease, among them malaria. PMID: 20206601 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biochemical...

New horizons for studying human hepatotropic infections

Journal of Clinical Investigation — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:25:43 +0100

The liver serves as a target organ for several important pathogens, including hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively) and the human malaria parasites, all of which represent serious global health problems. Because these pathogens are restricted to human hepatocytes, research in small animals has been compromised by the frailty of the current mouse xenotransplantation models. In this issue of the JCI, Bissig et al. demonstrate robust HBV and HCV infection in a novel xenotransplantation model in which large numbers of immunodeficient mice with liver injury were engrafted with significant quantities of human hepatocytes. This technical advance paves the way for more widespread use of human liver chimeric mice and forms the basis for creating increasingly complex humanized mouse ...

Contribution of Integrated Campaign Distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets to Coverage of Target Groups and Total Populations in Malaria-Endemic Areas in Madagascar.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kulkarni MA, Eng JV, Desrochers RE, Cotte AH, Goodson JL, Johnston A, Wolkon A, Erskine M, Berti P, Rakotoarisoa A, Ranaivo L, Peat J In October 2007, Madagascar conducted a nationwide integrated campaign to deliver measles vaccination, mebendazole, and vitamin A to children six months to five years of age. In 59 of the 111 districts, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) were delivered to children less than five years of age in combination with the other interventions. A community-based, cross-sectional survey assessed LLIN ownership and use six months post-campaign during the rainy season. LLIN ownership was analyzed by wealth quintile to assess equity. In the 59 districts, 76.8% of households possessed at least one LLIN from any source and 56.4% of households possessed a c...

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Bottleneck effects on vaccine-candidate antigen diversity of malaria parasites in Thailand.

Vaccine — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jongwutiwes S, Putaporntip C, Hughes AL A number of cell surface antigens of the infective stages of malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) have been proposed as vaccine candidates, but high levels of polymorphism at the loci encoding these antigens are problematic for vaccine effectiveness. In order to test for the effects of anti-malarial control measures (including drugs and vector control) on polymorphism at antigen-encoding loci, we analyzed sequences of four antigen-encoding loci from P. vivax and two from P. falciparum collected in 2006-2007 from two areas of Thailand: (1) the NW, where malaria cases have remained high until recently; and (2) the South, where control measures have caused a dramatic decline in numbers of cases since 1990. Polymorphism in non-repeat regions...

Can any lessons be learned from the ambiguous glycan binding of PfEMP1 domains?

Trends in Parasitology — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dahlbäck M, Nielsen MA, Salanti A Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is caused by Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IEs) accumulating in the placenta and has dire consequences for both mother and child. The multi-domain antigen VAR2CSA confers specific adhesion of IEs to chondroitin sulphate A (CSA) in the placenta, and is the leading PAM vaccine candidate. Recent data from different laboratories show that the binding properties of individual VAR2CSA domains do not reflect the native CSA-specific adhesion of IEs, which questions the relevance of the information obtained from single domain binding assays and co-crystallization experiments. Here, we discuss the implications of these findings for VAR2CSA vaccine development and highlight the need for studying the ...

Barry Buckland Joins Ancora Pharmaceuticals Board

HSMN NewsFeed — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:38:19 +0100

MEDFORD, Mass.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Ancora Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that Barry C. Buckland, Ph.D has joined the companys Board of Directors. A former research and development executive at Merck Research Laboratories, Buckland brings a wealth of e... Biopharmaceuticals, PersonnelAncora Pharmaceuticals, malaria vaccine, malaria (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Promiscuous T-cell epitopes of Plasmodium merozoite surface protein 9 (PvMSP9) induces IFN-gamma and IL-4 responses in individuals naturally exposed to malaria in the Brazilian Amazon.

Vaccine — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lima JC, Banic DM, Tran TM, Meyer VS, De-Simone SG, Santos F, Porto LC, Marques MT, Moreno A, Barnwell JW, Galinski MR, Oliveira-Ferreira J Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein (PvMSP9) stimulates both cellular and humoral immune responses in individuals who are naturally infected by this parasite species. To identify immunodominant human T-cell epitopes in PvMSP9, we used the MHC class II binding peptide prediction algorithm ProPred. Eleven synthetic peptides representing predicted putative promiscuous T-cell epitopes were tested in IFN-gamma and IL-4 ELISPOT assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from 142 individuals from Rondonia State, Brazil who had been naturally exposed to P. vivax infections. To determine whether the predicted epitopes are...

Sanaria Inc. Receives Multi-Year U.S. NIH Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Grant To Develop A Genetically Attenuated Malaria Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Sanaria Inc. has received additional support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health in the form of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant. The three-year award totaling approximately $3 million will support collaborative research by investigators at Sanaria and Columbia University... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Sanaria Inc. Receives Multi-Year U.S. NIH Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Grant To Develop A Genetically Attenuated Malaria Vaccine

Genetics News From Medical News Today — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

White House Called on to Expand Global Health Initiative

MSF News — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:27:00 +0100

New York, February 24, 2010 The Obama administrations Global Health Initiative (GHI) does not go far enough in combating the most lethal neglected tropical diseases for which an estimated one billion people are infected, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) said today. MSF and DNDi call on the US government to expand the GHI to encompass treatment programs for all neglected tropical diseases, while supporting a research and development pipeline that will produce more effective, safer, and accessible medicines to patients as quickly as possible. In its current formulation, the GHI proposes significant funding increases for treating only five of 14 so-called ne...

$12.7 Million To Further Malaria Research

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

A research program that aims to better understand malaria infection and develop treatments and vaccines for the disease has been awarded $12.7 million (US$11.5 million) by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The grant will support research between the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's Infection and Immunity and Bioinformatics divisions, the Burnet Institute and the University of Melbourne. It was one of 10 NHMRC Program Grants announced this morning by the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, the Hon. Mark Butler... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

$12.7 Million To Further Malaria Research

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Adenovectors induce functional antibodies capable of potent inhibition of blood stage malaria parasite growth.

Vaccine — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bruder JT, Stefaniak ME, Patterson NB, Chen P, Konovalova S, Limbach K, Campo JJ, Ettyreddy D, Li S, Dubovsky F, Richie TL, King CR, Long CA, Doolan DL An effective malaria vaccine remains a global health priority. Recombinant adenoviruses are a promising vaccine platform, and Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and merozoite surface protein 1-42 (MSP1(42)) are leading blood stage vaccine candidates. We evaluated the importance of surface antigen localization and glycosylation on the immunogenicity of adenovector delivered AMA1 and MSP1(42) and assessed the ability of these vaccines to induce functional antibody responses capable of inhibiting parasite growth in vitro. Adenovector delivery induced unprecedented levels of biologically active antibodies in rab...

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Helminth infection impairs the immunogenicity of a Plasmodium falciparum DNA vaccine, but not irradiated sporozoites, in mice.

Vaccine — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Noland GS, Chowdhury DR, Urban JF, Zavala F, Kumar N Development of an effective vaccine against malaria remains a priority. However, a significant number of individuals living in tropical areas are also likely to be co-infected with helminths, which are known to adversely affect immune responses to a number of different existing vaccines. Here we compare the response to two prototype malaria vaccines: a transmission blocking DNA vaccine based on Pfs25, and a pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine based on irradiated sporozoites in mice infected with the intestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Following primary immunization with Pfs25 DNA vaccine, levels of total IgG, as well as IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b (all P=0.0002), and IgG3 (P=0.03) Pfs25 antibodies were significantly lower in ...

'Grounded' mozzies may halt dengue

NHS News Feed — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:21:00 +0100

Conclusion This research has shown that it is possible to genetically engineer the Aedes aegypti mosquito to produce females that cannot fly, and therefore cannot feed or mate, but leave males unaffected. The logic is that if these male genetically engineered mosquitoes are introduced into the wild and breed with normal females, the female offspring will not be able to reproduce, and this should reduce the wild mosquito population. The researchers acknowledge that further tests will be needed to determine how well the genetically engineered male mosquitoes compete with normal male mosquitoes in mating, and how well they suppress wild mosquito populations. In addition, further studies are needed to look at whether these techniques could be applied to other mosquito species. The fact that ma...

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Malaria Vaccine

The International Journal of Biostatistics — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:40:25 +0100

Malaria is a major public health problem. An effective vaccine against malaria is actively being sought. We formulate a potential outcomes definition of the efficacy of a malaria vaccine for preventing fever. A challenge in estimating this efficacy is that there is no sure way to determine whether a fever was caused by malaria. We study the properties of two approaches for estimating efficacy: (1) use a deterministic case definition of a malaria caused fever as the conjunction of fever and parasite density above a certain cutoff; (2) use a probabilistic case definition in which the probability that each fever was caused by malaria is estimated. We compare these approaches in a simulation study and find that both approaches can potentially have large biases. We suggest a strategy for choosi...

$12.7 million to further malaria research

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) A research program that aims to better understand malaria infection and develop treatments and vaccines for the disease has today been awarded AU$12.7 million ($11.5 million) by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Subpatent infection with nucleoside transporter 1-deficient Plasmodium blood stage parasites confers sterile protection against lethal malaria in mice

Cellular Microbiology — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Repeated immunizations with whole Plasmodium blood stage parasites and concomitant drug cure of infection confer protective immunity against parasite challenge in mice, monkeys and humans. Moreover, it was recently shown that infections with genetically modified rodent malaria blood stage parasites conferred sterile protection against lethal blood stage challenge. However, in these models vaccination resulted in high parasitemias and, in consequence, carries risk of vaccine-induced pathology and death. Herein, we generated a novel, completely blood stage-attenuated P. yoelii rodent malaria strain by targeted deletion of parasite nucleoside transporter 1 (NT1). Immunization of inbred and outbred mouse strains with a single low dose of Pynt1- blood stages did not induce any patent infections...

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[Personal View] Reducing empiricism in malaria vaccine design

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Gains in the control of malaria and the promising progress of a malaria vaccine that is partly efficacious do not reduce the need for a high-efficacy vaccine in the longer term. Evidence supports the feasibility of developing a highly efficacious malaria vaccine. However, design of candidate malaria vaccines remains empirical and is necessarily based on many unproven assumptions because much of the knowledge needed to design vaccines and to predict efficacy is not available. Data to inform key questions of vaccine science might allow the design of vaccines to progress to a less empirical stage, for example through availability of assay results associated with vaccine efficacy. We discuss six strategic gaps in knowledge that contribute to empiricism in the design of vaccines. Comparative ev...

Further Analysis of Correlates of Protection from a Phase 2a Trial of the Falciparum Malaria Vaccines RTS,S/AS01B and RTS,S/AS02A in Malaria‐Naive Adults

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:19:49 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 201, Issue 6, Page 970-971, 15 March 2010. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Push for more stable vaccines

NHS News Feed — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:49:00 +0100

Conclusion This was a proof-of-concept study that showed that viral vector stability at warm temperatures could be increased by slowly drying vaccines suspended in sugar stabilisers onto special filter-like membranes. This study was performed with model viral vectors that can have DNA inserted into them to make them work as vaccines for specific diseases. Further work is needed to characterise the effect of the technique on the storage conditions needed for vaccines used for specific diseases. This development is potentially very useful as it may lead to improvements in the availability and effectiveness of vaccination programmes in areas of the world with fewer resources. Links To The Headlines Scientists raise fresh hopes for fridge-free vaccines. BBC News, February 19 2010 Links To S...

Vaccine For Diabetes Possible This Decade, Says Report

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

In the not-too-distant future we could see diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., treated with a vaccine. Several vaccine candidates are in the pipeline, creating a possible $2.4 billion market for diabetes vaccine products by 2020, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, who recently published a survey of emerging vaccine products titled: "What's Next in Vaccines? HIV, Malaria, Rabies, MRSA, and 30 Other Vaccine Targets in the 2010-2020 Pipeline." Type I diabetes currently afflicts 35,000 people in the U.S... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Lineage-specific positive selection at the merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1) locus of Plasmodium vivax and related simian malaria parasites

BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The present results indicate that the msp1 locus of P. vivax and related parasite species has lineage-specific unique evolutionary history with positive selection. P. vivax and related simian malaria parasites offer an interesting system toward understanding host species-dependent adaptive evolution of immune-target surface antigen genes such as msp1. (Source: BMC Evolutionary Biology - Latest articles)

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Book Review: The Elusive Malaria Vaccine: Miracle or Mirage?

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:47:00 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 50, Issue 6, Page 941, 15 March 2010. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Also In Global Health News: Parasite, Bacteria Survival Discovery; Polio Vaccine Campaign; Sanitary Kits In Kenya; Sierra Leone Maternal Mortality

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Discovery Of Chemical Reaction Process Could Lead To New Malaria, TB Treatments Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign say that a recent finding could help develop new treatments to fight diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, KWMU reports (LaCapra, 2/15)... (Source: Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Parasite, Bacteria Survival Discovery; Polio Vaccine Campaign; Sanitary Kits In Kenya; Sierra Leone Maternal Mortality

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Discovery Of Chemical Reaction Process Could Lead To New Malaria, TB Treatments Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign say that a recent finding could help develop new treatments to fight diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, KWMU reports (LaCapra, 2/15). The researchers "say they've discovered an unusual chemical reaction that allows malaria parasites and many bacteria to survive. ... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

In the news

Nature Reviews Microbiology — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:28:52 +0100

Nature Reviews Microbiology 8, 162 (2010). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2327 Our monthly round up of infectious diseases news, which this month includes recent findings in malaria research and news of a large donation for vaccine research and distribution. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)

Estimates of the Effect of Natural Selection on Protein-Coding Content

Molecular Biology and Evolution — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:40:05 +0100

We present a novel model that weights substitutions by conditional nucleotide frequencies and which escapes these artifacts. Applying it to the genomes of pathogens causing malaria, leprosy, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease gave significant discrepancies in estimates with ~10–30% of genes affected. Our work has substantial implications for how vaccine targets are chosen and for studying the molecular basis of adaptive evolution. (Source: Molecular Biology and Evolution)

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Immunogenic properties of a recombinant fusion protein containing the C-terminal 19kDa of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1 and the innate immunity agonist FliC flagellin of Salmonella Typhimurium.

Vaccine — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bargieri DY, Leite JA, Lopes SC, Sbrogio-Almeida ME, Braga CJ, Ferreira LC, Soares IS, Costa FT, Rodrigues MM In a recent study, we demonstrated the immunogenic properties of a new malaria vaccine polypeptide based on a 19kDa C-terminal fragment of the merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1(19)) from Plasmodium vivax and an innate immunity agonist, the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium flagellin (FliC). Herein, we tested whether the same strategy, based on the MSP1(19) component of the deadly malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, could also generate a fusion polypeptide with enhanced immunogenicity. The His(6)FliC-MSP1(19) fusion protein was expressed from a recombinant Escherichia coli and showed preserved in vitro TLR5-binding activity. In contrast to animals injected wit...

Somalia: A day in Dadaab

MSF News — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:35:00 +0100

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is still very concerned about the situation in one of the world’s most congested camp complex in Dadaab, in north-eastern Kenya. MSF has been providing medical care for a year in Dagahaley camp and while there have been some improvements during that time: the overcrowding is still very worrying. Refugees are only receiving the bare minimum to survive. Click here to launch the mini-site, "Somalia: A day in Dadaab" “In one year, we have seen improvements. Refugees are now receiving the full ration of food and receive some basic non-food-items, but there’s a clear need for more water and more space,” explains Duncan Bell, field coordinator in Dagahaley camp. “Although there has been an increase in the number of litres of water per perso...

Biotech paper watch.

Biotechnology Journal — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: BTJ best cover contestBiotech paper watch:Triple knockout cell lines in one goTurning carbon dioxide into liquid fuelDual malaria/cholera vaccines from chloroplastAutomated single cell clone pickingDisulfide trapping of yeast surface proteinspH changes upon freezing of buffered solutionsIdentifying cancerspecific glycosylationp53, a double-edged sword in the fight against cancerMost read in BTJ:SUMOylation and cell signallingBioengineering news:Biofuels for future generationsTextile wastewater decolorizationEngineering joint cartilage. PMID: 20151450 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biotechnology Journal)

A single parasite gene determines strain-specific protective immunity against malaria: the role of the Merozoite Surface Protein I.

International Journal for Parasitology — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cheesman S, O'Mahony E, Pattaradilokrat S, Degnan K, Knott S, Carter R Despite many decades of research, no registered vaccine against the pathogenic blood stages of the malaria parasite exists, translating into the loss of many hundreds of thousands of young lives each year in tropical Africa. Although many parasite proteins have been shown to induce immune responses in the host, proof for their induction of protective immunity is still lacking. We previously reported a novel genetic approach called linkage group selection (LGS) for rapid identification of target antigens of strain-specific protective immunity (SSPI) against malaria. In preliminary LGS experiments, we crossed two genetically distinct strains of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi and subjected their progeny to selec...

Sub-Saharan Africa news in brief: 28 January–10 February 2010

SciDev.Net — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:23:56 +0100

Elephantiasis drug to be updated, malaria vaccine candidate shows promise in Malian children, funding boost for yam research, and more. (Source: SciDev.Net)

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Suppressive and additive effects in protection mediated by combinations of monoclonal antibodies specific for merozoite surface protein 1 of Plasmodium yoelii

Malaria Journal — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These results suggest that a combination of protective antibodies with either the same or different isotypes can produce either an additive or a suppressive effect in passive immunization. This phenomenon may be important in better understanding immunity in this experimental mouse model of malaria. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Mimotopes Awarded Major Peptide Supply Contract by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in the Search for an Effective Malaria Vaccine

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:15:23 +0100

Mimotopes' PepSets™ to be used to identify novel proteins from the malaria parasite for next generation vaccine development (PRWeb Feb 8, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3564994.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

New malaria vaccine is safe and protective in children, scientists find

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:08:40 +0100

A new vaccine to prevent the deadly malaria infection has shown promise to protect the most vulnerable patients -- young children -- against the disease, according to an international team of researchers. The vaccine seems to replicate in children the natural protective immunity that adults develop after years of intense exposure to malaria. A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds, according to the WHO. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

NTU Researchers Complete The World's First In-depth Study Of The Malaria Parasite Genome

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Groundbreaking research done at Nanyang Technological University's (NTU) School of Biological Sciences (SBS) could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria, which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and kills up to three million people each year. Assistant Professor Zbynek Bozdech and his team of researchers, including graduate students and post-doctorals from SBS' Division of Genomics & Genetics, have scored a world first in successfully using transcriptional profiling to uncover hitherto unknown gene expression (activity) patterns in malaria... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

NTU Researchers Complete The World's First In-depth Study Of The Malaria Parasite Genome

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

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Breakthrough By Danish Scientists In Preventing Maternal Malaria

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have become the first in the world to synthesize the entire protein that is responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. The protein known as VAR2CSA enables malaria parasites to accumulate in the placenta and can therefore potentially be used as the main component in a vaccine to trigger antibodies that protect pregnant women against malaria. The research team is now planning to test the efficacy of the protein-based vaccine on humans... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise in Children

Medscape Allergy Headlines — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:39:58 +0100

A new vaccine showed promise at protecting young children from malaria, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Allergy Headlines)

Vaccine to protect pregnant women from contracting malaria?

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0100

Researchers have synthesized the entire protein that is responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. The protein known as VAR2CSA enables malaria parasites to accumulate in the placenta and can therefore potentially be used as the main component in a vaccine to trigger antibodies that protect pregnant women against malaria. The research team is now planning to test the efficacy of the protein-based vaccine on humans. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Haiti

Wilderness Medicine Newsletter — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:39:21 +0100

the Major disasters in the last 10 years, 2000 – 2010: 2001 – Gujarat Earthquake, India 20,000 Deaths 2003 – Bam Earthquake, Iran 30,000 Deaths 2004 – Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami 230,000 Deaths 2005 – Kashmir Earthquake, Pakistan 85,000 Deaths 2005 – Hurricane Katrina, USA 1,300 Deaths 2008 – Sichuan China Earthquake, Chine 70,000 Deaths 2008 – Cyclone Nargis, Burma (Myanmar) 150,000 Deaths 2010 – Haitian Earthquake, Haiti 170,000+ Deat...

Early Stage Trial Finds Malaria Vaccine Effectively Protected Young Children, Study Says

Pediatrics News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

An experimental vaccine was found to effectively protect young children from malaria in Mali, Reuters reports. According to the news service, "The vaccine, which uses an immune system booster called an adjuvant from British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, targets the malaria parasite as it is actively infecting red blood cells and causing fever and illness" (Steenhuysen, 2/3)... (Source: Pediatrics News From Medical News Today)

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Early Stage Trial Finds Malaria Vaccine Effectively Protected Young Children, Study Says

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:00 +0100

NTU researchers complete the world's first in-depth study of the malaria parasite genome

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Nanyang Technological University) Groundbreaking research done at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University's School of Biological Sciences could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria. Assistant Professor Zbynek Bozdech and his team of researchers, including graduate students and post-doctorals from SBS' Division of Genomics & Genetics, have scored a world first in successfully using transcriptional profiling to uncover hitherto unknown gene expression (activity) patterns in malaria. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

World's first in-depth study of the malaria parasite genome

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Groundbreaking research could lead to the development of more potent drugs or a vaccine for malaria. Scientists have scored a world first in successfully using transcriptional profiling to uncover hitherto unknown gene expression (activity) patterns in malaria. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Billion Dollar Market For Malaria Vaccine Products Should Interest Drug Developers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

With increased attention on finding a cure for the scourge of malaria, recently highlighted by the announcement of a large research and development grant from the Bill Gates Foundation, and with several candidates already in the pipeline, there could be a $1 billion market for malaria vaccine products by 2017, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, which recently published a survey of emerging vaccine products titled: "What's Next in Vaccines? HIV, Malaria, Rabies, MRSA, and 30 Other Vaccine Targets in the 2010-2020 Pipeline... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Billion Dollar Market For Malaria Vaccine Products Should Interest Drug Developers

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

With increased attention on finding a cure for the scourge of malaria, recently highlighted by the announcement of a large research and development grant from the Bill Gates Foundation, and with several candidates already in the pipeline, there could be a $1 billion market for malaria vaccine products by 2017, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Informati... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

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Breakthrough by Danish scientists in preventing maternal malaria

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Copenhagen) Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have become the first in the world to synthesize the entire protein that is responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and their unborn children. The protein known as VAR2CSA enables malaria parasites to accumulate in the placenta and can therefore potentially be used as the main component in a vaccine to trigger antibodies that protect pregnant women against malaria. The research team is now planning to test the efficacy of the protein-based vaccine on humans. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

School of Medicine Researchers Find That New Malaria Vaccine They're Testing is Safe and Protective in Young Children

University of Maryland School of Medicine News Headlines — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Global Partnership Enabled Testing in Mali, West Africa, Where Malaria Threat is High A new vaccine to prevent the deadly malaria infection has shown promise to protect the most vulnerable patients — young children — against the disease, according to an international team of researchers. The team was led by the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and the Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Bamako in Mali, West Africa. In a new study of the vaccine in young children in Mali, researchers found it stimulated strong and long-lasting immune responses. In fact, the antibody levels the vaccine produced in the children were as high or even higher than the antibody levels found in adults who have naturally developed protect...

Minireview: Regulation of Immunity to Plasmodium: Implications from Mouse Models for Blood Stage Malaria Vaccine Design.

Experimental Parasitology — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Taylor-Robinson AW Malaria, a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, remains a serious healthcare problem in developing countries worldwide. While the host-parasite relationship in humans has been difficult to determine, the pliability of murine malaria models has enabled valuable contributions to the understanding of the pathogenesis of disease. Although no single model reflects precisely malaria infection of the human, different models collectively provide important information on the mechanisms of protective immunity and immunopathogenesis. This review summarizes progress towards understanding the broad spectrum of immune responsiveness to the blood stages of the malaria parasite during experimental infections in mice and highlights how examination of murine m...

Also In Global Health News: Food Needs In Sudan; Malaria Vaccine; Agriculture In India; Generic Drugs

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Drought, Conflict More Than Triple Food Needs In S. Sudan "The number of people in Southern Sudan needing food aid has quadrupled to about 4.3 million this year from a year ago because of violence and drought, the United Nations World Food Programme said" Tuesday, Bloomberg reports (Maier, 2/2). The agency, which is facing a funding shortfall of $485... (Source: Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Food Needs In Sudan; Malaria Vaccine; Agriculture In India; Generic Drugs

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Drought, Conflict More Than Triple Food Needs In S. Sudan "The number of people in Southern Sudan needing food aid has quadrupled to about 4.3 million this year from a year ago because of violence and drought, the United Nations World Food Programme said" Tuesday, Bloomberg reports (Maier, 2/2). The agency, which is facing a funding shortfall of $485.4 million, estimates more than 11 million people in the country will need food assistance this year (2/2)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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UM School of Medicine scientists find new malaria vaccine is safe and protective in children

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Maryland Medical Center) A new vaccine to prevent the deadly malaria infection has shown promise to protect the most vulnerable patients -- young children -- against the disease, according to an international team of researchers led by the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development (CVD). The vaccine seems to replicate in children the natural protective immunity that adults develop after years of intense exposure to malaria. A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds, according to the WHO. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Billion Dollar Market For Malaria Vaccine Products Should Interest Drug Developers

Pharmaceutical Online News — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:15:00 +0100

With increased attention on finding a cure for the scourge of malaria, recently highlighted by the announcement of a large research and development grant from the Bill Gates Foundation, and with several candidates already in the pipeline, there could be a $1B market for malaria vaccine products by 2017, according to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, which recently published a survey of emerging vaccine products titled: "What's Next in Vaccines? HIV, Malaria, Rabies, MRSA, and 30 Other Vaccine Targets in the 2010-2020 Pipeline." (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Vaccine Research: Gates Foundation Announcement Commended By IVAC Executive Director Dr. Orin Levine Commends

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hasvannounced that it will dedicate $10 billion over the next ten years to support vaccine research, development and delivery throughout the developing world. This commitment is unprecedented. Preventable diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria take the lives of 5 million children worldwide every year, mostly in low-income countries, simply because life-saving vaccines don't reach those who need them most. Today's commitment from the Gates Foundation promises to take the biggest step yet toward addressing this global inequity... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Naturally Acquired Antibodies to Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein (DBP) in Rural Brazilian Amazon.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Souza-Silva FA, da Silva-Nunes M, Sanchez BA, Ceravolo IP, Malafronte RS, Brito CF, Ferreira MU, Carvalho LH Duffy binding protein (DBP), a leading malaria vaccine candidate, plays a critical role in Plasmodium vivax erythrocyte invasion. Sixty-eight of 366 (18.6%) subjects had IgG anti-DBP antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a community-based cross-sectional survey in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Despite continuous exposure to low-level malaria transmission, the overall seroprevalence decreased to 9.0% when the population was reexamined 12 months later. Antibodies from 16 of 50 (36.0%) subjects who were ELISA-positive at the baseline were able to inhibit erythrocyte binding to at least one of two DBP variants tested. Most (13 of 16) of these subjects sti...

Vaccine Could be a Weapon Against Both Malaria and Cholera

NIGMS - Results — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:53:31 +0100

(Source: NIGMS - Results)

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Schistosomiasis vaccine discovery using immunomics

Parasites and Vectors — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The recent publication of the Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni genomes has expanded greatly the opportunities for post-genomic schistosomiasis vaccine research. Immunomics protein microarrays provide an excellent application of this new schistosome sequence information, having been utilised successfully for vaccine antigen discovery with a range of bacterial and viral pathogens, and malaria. Accordingly, we have designed and manufactured a Schistosoma immunomics protein microarray as a vaccine discovery tool. The microarray protein selection combined previously published data and in silico screening of available sequences for potential immunogens based on protein location, homology to known protective antigens, and high specificity to schistosome species. Following cloning, selected se...

Gates Annual Letter Addresses Importance Of Innovation For Global Health, Agriculture

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

In his second annual letter, Bill Gates reflects on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's work and the importance innovation will play in overcoming some of the world's greatest challenges, including in global health and agriculture, the Associated Press reports. "Gates says the foundation currently is backing 30 areas of innovation including online learning, teacher improvement, malaria vaccine development, HIV prevention, and genetically modified seeds," according to the news service (Gordon Blankinship, 1/25)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccine Could Be Lethal Weapon Against Malaria, Cholera

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Mankind may finally have a weapon to fight two of the world's deadliest diseases. A University of Central Florida biomedical researcher has developed what promises to be the first low-cost dual vaccine against malaria and cholera. There is no FDA approved vaccine to prevent malaria, a mosquito-borne illness that kills more than 1 million people annually. Only one vaccine exists to fight cholera, a diarrheal illness that is common in developing countries and can be fatal... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccine Could Be Lethal Weapon Against Malaria, Cholera

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Mankind may finally have a weapon to fight two of the world's deadliest diseases. A University of Central Florida biomedical researcher has developed what promises to be the first low-cost dual vaccine against malaria and cholera. There is no FDA approved vaccine to prevent malaria, a mosquito-borne illness that kills more than 1 million people annually... (Source: Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today)

UCF-developed vaccine may fight malaria, cholera

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:27:11 +0100

A University of Central Florida biomedical researcher has developed what promises to be the first low-cost dual vaccine against malaria and cholera. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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UCF professor's vaccine could be lethal weapon against malaria, cholera

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Central Florida) Mankind may finally have a weapon to fight two of the world's deadliest diseases. A University of Central Florida biomedical researcher has developed what promises to be the first low-cost dual vaccine against malaria and cholera. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Malaria vaccine 'three years off'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:02:19 +0100

Microsoft founder Bill Gates tells the BBC that a partially effective vaccine for malaria could be just three years away. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

[Media Watch] Books: The elusive malaria vaccine: miracle or mirage?

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The author of The Elusive Malaria Vaccine: Miracle or Mirage? has spent several decades engaged in malaria research. Given the start in May, 2009, of the Phase 3 trial of RTS,S/AS01, the first malaria vaccine that might be registered and that could potentially be available for use in sub-Saharan Africa, this book is timely and provides a very good overview of the prehistory and history of microbiology, parasitology, and vaccinology. Its strengths include illuminating details into the life of figures such as Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur, the seminal malaria work of some of the doyens of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and outlining preclinical research on the blood stages of non-human plasmodia. More recent research is enlivened by descriptions that appear to be based on interviews with some ...

Involvement of CD8(+) T cells in protective immunity against murine blood-stage infection with Plasmodium yoelii 17XL strain.

European Journal of Immunology — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Imai T, Shen J, Chou B, Duan X, Tu L, Tetsutani K, Moriya C, Ishida H, Hamano S, Shimokawa C, Hisaeda H, Himeno K In developing malaria vaccines, the most crucial step is to elucidate the mechanisms involved in protective immunity against the parasites. We found that CD8(+) T cells contribute to protective immunity against infection with blood-stage parasites of Plasmodium yoelii. Infection of C57BL/6 mice with P. yoelii 17XL was lethal, while all mice infected with a low-virulence strain of the parasite 17XNL acquired complete resistance against re-infection with P. yoelii 17XL. However, the host mice transferred with CD8(+) T cells from mice primed only with P. yoelii17XNL failed to acquire protective immunity. On the other hand, the irradiated host mice were completely resi...

Involvement of CD8+ T cells in protective immunity against murine blood-stage infection with Plasmodium yoelii 17XL strain

European Journal of Immunology — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

When developing malaria vaccines, the most crucial step is to elucidate the mechanisms involved in protective immunity against the parasites. We found that CD8+ T cells contribute to protective immunity against infection with blood-stage parasites of Plasmodium yoelii. Infection of C57BL/6 mice with P. yoelii 17XL was lethal, while all mice infected with a low-virulence strain of the parasite 17XNL acquired complete resistance against re-infection with P. yoelii 17XL. However, the host mice transferred with CD8+ T cells from mice primed only with P. yoelii 17XNL failed to acquire protective immunity. On the other hand, the irradiated host mice were completely resistant to P. yoelii 17XL infection, showing no grade of parasitemia when adoptively transferred with CD8+ T cells from immune mic...

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Role of Plasmodium berghei cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase in Late Liver Stage Development [Molecular Basis Of Cell and Developmental Biology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:36:02 +0100

The liver is the first organ infected by Plasmodium sporozoites during malaria infection. In the infected hepatocytes, sporozoites undergo a complex developmental program to eventually generate hepatic merozoites that are released into the bloodstream in membrane-bound vesicles termed merosomes. Parasites blocked at an early developmental stage inside hepatocytes elicit a protective host immune response, making them attractive targets in the effort to develop a pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine. Here, we generated parasites blocked at a late developmental stage inside hepatocytes by conditionally disrupting the Plasmodium berghei cGMP-dependent protein kinase in sporozoites. Mutant sporozoites are able to invade hepatocytes and undergo intracellular development. However, they remain blocked a...

Relationship between anti-merozoite antibodies and incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0100

New research synthesizes information from many different studies that attempt to link specific antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum with protection from clinical malaria and comes to important conclusions about which antigens might be worth advancing as vaccine candidates. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Glaxo Offers Free Malaria Research, Vaccine Nears

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:53:08 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline hopes to seek approval by 2012 for its experimental malaria vaccine and said on Wednesday it would seek only a small profit and ensure it is widely available in hard-hit countries. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

GSK To Offer Scientists Access To Compounds, Lab Space To Fight Malaria

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)'s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Witty on Tuesday unveiled the company's plans to allow "free access to its library of 13,500 potential malaria treatments and devote the profits from its experimental [RTS,S] vaccine to battling tropical illnesses that beset poor countries," Bloomberg reports (Randall, 1/20). "Glaxo will let other scientists try to develop malaria drugs - free from royalties or other payments to Glaxo - from that library of compounds," the Associated Press/ABC News reports... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GSK To Offer Scientists Access To Compounds, Lab Space To Fight Malaria

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0100

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GSK gives price pledge on malaria vaccine

FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:00:00 +0100

The UK-based pharmaceutical group vows to price its experimental malaria vaccine at just above cost, in an effort to ensure funding for its widespread use (Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare)

Naturally-acquired humoral immune responses against the N- and C-termini of the Plasmodium vivax MSP1 protein in endemic regions of Brazil and Papua New Guinea using a multiplex assay

Malaria Journal — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This study validates the use of the multiplex assay to measure naturally-acquired IgG antibodies against the merozoite surface protein 1 of P. vivax. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Genetic linkage of autologous T cell epitopes in a chimeric recombinant construct improves anti-parasite and anti-disease protective effect of a malaria vaccine candidate.

Vaccine — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Singh B, Cabrera-Mora M, Jiang J, Galinski M, Moreno A We have reported the design of polyvalent synthetic and recombinant chimeras that include promiscuous T cell epitopes as a viable delivery system for pre-erythrocytic subunit malaria vaccines. To further assess the ability of several Plasmodium T cell epitopes to enhance vaccine potency, we designed a synthetic gene encoding four Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein 1 (PyMSP1) CD4(+) promiscuous T cell epitopes fused in tandem to the homologous carboxyl terminal PyMSP1(19) fragment. This Recombinant Modular Chimera (PyRMC-MSP1(19)) was tested for immunogenicity and protective efficacy in comparative experiments with a recombinant protein expressing only the PyMSP1(19) fragment. Both proteins induced comparable antib...

Evolutionary dynamics of the immunodominant repeats of the Plasmodium vivax malaria-vaccine candidate circumsporozoite protein (CSP).

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Patil A, Orjuela-Sánchez P, da Silva-Nunes M, Ferreira MU The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium vivax, a major target for malaria vaccine development, has immunodominant B-cell epitopes mapped to central nonapeptide repeat arrays. To determine whether rearrangements of repeat motifs during mitotic DNA replication of parasites create significant CSP diversity under conditions of low effective meiotic recombination rates, we examined csp alleles from sympatric P. vivax isolates systematically sampled from an area of low malaria endemicity in Brazil over a period of 14 months. Nine unique csp types, comprising six different nonapeptide repeats, were observed in 45 isolates analyzed. Identical or nearly identical repeats predominated in most arrays, consistent with...

Immunogenicity of Whole-Parasite Vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum Involves Malarial Hemozoin and Host TLR9.

Cell Host and Microbe — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Coban C, Igari Y, Yagi M, Reimer T, Koyama S, Aoshi T, Ohata K, Tsukui T, Takeshita F, Sakurai K, Ikegami T, Nakagawa A, Horii T, Nuñez G, Ishii KJ, Akira S Although whole-parasite vaccine strategies for malaria infection have regained attention, their immunological mechanisms of action remain unclear. We find that immunization of mice with a crude blood stage extract of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum elicits parasite antigen-specific immune responses via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 and that the malarial heme-detoxification byproduct, hemozoin (HZ), but not malarial DNA, produces a potent adjuvant effect. Malarial and synthetic (s)HZ bound TLR9 directly to induce conformational changes in the receptor. The adjuvant effect of sHZ depended on its method of synthe...

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Hemozoin: Malaria's "Built-In" Adjuvant and TLR9 Agonist.

Cell Host and Microbe — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wagner H The "built-in" adjuvant in a whole-microbe vaccine potentially triggers protective immunity. Coban et al. now demonstrate that crude blood stage extract of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum drives parasite-specific immune responses via Hemozoin, a byproduct of heme detoxification, functioning as a TLR9 agonist and, therefore, as a "built-in" adjuvant. PMID: 20114022 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cell Host and Microbe)

Malaria Parasite Infects Gorillas, Not Just Humans

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:00:00 +0100

Discovery may aid vaccine development, but could hinder efforts to eradicate disease, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topic: Malaria (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Experts Identify Key Triggers in Malaria Vaccine Hunt

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:48:59 +0100

Scientists have identified two surface molecules produced by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite that could lead to a vaccine against malaria, according to a study published online in the latest issue of PLoS Medicine. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Travel Medicine: Emerging Pathogens and New Recommendations, Part 2

Consultant Live — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:00:01 +0100

ABSTRACT: Most travelers to Third World countries encounter health-related problems during their stay and may require medical attention on returning home. Although malaria is still the most common diagnosis among travelers to the developing world, several other infectious diseases, such as dengue fever, chikungunya fever, and leishmaniasis, are growing in importance. Clinicians need to stay informed about travel requirements and vaccine recommendations for US citizens. (Source: Consultant Live)

Media Outlets Examine Efforts To Develop Malaria Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Scientists have identified a group of proteins they say could form the basis of a malaria vaccine, Australia's ABC News reports. "However, they say more laboratory work and clinical trials need to be done, with a vaccine at least 10 years away," the news service reports (Macey, 1/19)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Media Outlets Examine Efforts To Develop Malaria Vaccines

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Also In Global Health News: HIV Vaccine; Chile To Provide Free 'Emergency Contraception'; China Indoor Smoking Ban; Malaria Clinical Trials

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

TIME Examines HIV Vaccine Efforts TIME features a profile on David Ho, director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC) in New York City, who is currently working on a novel HIV vaccine. Ho "now believes that a traditional shot, one that relies on snippets of a virus to both awaken and prod the immune system to churn out antibodies, may not be the best way to fight HIV... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: HIV Vaccine; Chile To Provide Free 'Emergency Contraception'; China Indoor Smoking Ban; Malaria Clinical Trials

Smoking / Quit Smoking News From Medical News Today — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Glaxo offers free malaria research, vaccine nears

Reuters: Health — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:45:03 +0100

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline Plc hopes to seek approval by 2012 for its experimental malaria vaccine and said on Wednesday it would seek only a small profit and ensure it is widely available in hard-hit countries. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Glaxo eyes token profit on malaria vaccine

Reuters: Health — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:05:03 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline Plc hopes to seek approval by 2012 for its experimental vaccine to prevent malaria and will seek only a small profit on the product in order to make it widely available in hard-hit countries, the company said. (Source: Reuters: Health)

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A bicomponent Plasmodium falciparum investigational vaccine composed of protein-peptide conjugates [Medical_Sciences]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:46:58 +0100

There is yet no licensed vaccine against malaria, a serious human disease affecting mostly children, with an annual death rate... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

Experts identify key triggers in malaria vaccine hunt

Reuters: Health — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:23:13 +0100

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Scientists have identified two surface molecules in the malaria parasite that could lead to developing a vaccine against the disease that kills at least one million people each year, a medical journal said on Wednesday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Experts Identify Key Triggers in Malaria Vaccine Hunt

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:15:10 +0100

Scientists have identified two surface molecules in the malaria parasite that could lead to developing a vaccine against the disease that kills at least one million people each year, a medical journal said on Wednesday. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Topic: Malaria (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Queensland Researchers On The Hunt For Effective Malaria Drugs

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Q-Pharm and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) will begin clinical trials to test the efficacy of current and potential antimalarial drugs using human volunteers. New ways are urgently needed to test emerging drugs and vaccines that have the potential to treat malaria, a disease responsible for up to a million deaths per year... (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Queensland Researchers On The Hunt For Effective Malaria Drugs

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Researchers at Q-Pharm and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) will begin clinical trials to test the efficacy of current and potential antimalarial drugs using human volunteers. New ways are urgently needed to test emerging drugs and vaccines that have the potential to treat malaria, a disease responsible for up to a million deaths per year. "Our first step is to develop a method to test if future drugs will be effective against malaria, by comparing two drugs already known to be effective," said lead physician and QIMR researcher Professor James McCarthy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Promising candidates for malaria vaccine revealed

ScienceDaily Headlines — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Researchers have uncovered a group of proteins that could form the basis of an effective vaccine against malaria. These new findings support the development of a vaccine against the blood-stage of malaria. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

The relationship between anti-merozoite antibodies and incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Public Library of Science) Research published this week in PLoS Medicine synthesizes information from many different studies that attempt to link specific antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum with protection from clinical malaria and comes to important conclusions about which antigens might be worth advancing as vaccine candidates. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Genetic polymorphism and effect of natural selection at domain I of apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) in Plasmodium vivax isolates from Myanmar(1).

Acta Tropica — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we analyzed the genetic polymorphism and natural selection at domain I of the apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) among Plasmodium vivax Myanmar isolates. A total of 34 distinguishable haplotypes were identified among the 76 isolates sequenced. Comparison with the previously available PvAMA-1 sequences in the GenBank database revealed that 21 of them were new haplotypes that have never been reported till date. The difference between the rate of non-synonymous (dN) and synonymous (dS) mutations was positive (dN-dS, 0.013+/-0.005), suggesting the domain I is under positive natural selection. The Tajima's D statistics was found to be -0.74652, suggesting that the gene has evolved under population size expansion and/or positive selection. The minimum recombination events were also...

Mozambique: Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance May Be Extended

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:56:00 +0100

The Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance (MCTA), which was due to end in 2009, may be extended for a further period to allow consolidation of the results achieved over the past four years in 12 African countries where research centres are working on a vaccine against malaria. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

Ghana: MVI to Develop Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine

AllAfrica News: Malaria — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:49:26 +0100

The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) has announced a new collaboration to initiate the development of a vaccine that may eventually help eliminate and eradicate malaria. (Source: AllAfrica News: Malaria)

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Promising candidates for malaria vaccine revealed

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have uncovered a group of proteins that could form the basis of an effective vaccine against malaria. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

A New Malaria Vaccine that Treats the Mosquito Too

TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:42:50 +0100

Don't just vaccinate us; vaccinate the mosquitoes too (Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories)

Sequences of the Plasmodium falciparum cytoadherence-linked asexual protein 9 implicated in malaria parasite invasion to erythrocytes.

Vaccine — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we synthesized the complete sequence of the CLAG-9 protein as 67 20-mer-long non-overlapped peptides and assessed their ability to bind to erythrocytes in receptor-ligand assays. Twenty CLAG-9 peptides were found to have specific high-affinity binding ability to erythrocytes (thereby named as HABPs), with nanomolar dissociation constants. CLAG-9 HABPs interacted with different erythrocyte surface receptors having apparent molecular weights of 85, 63 and 34kDa. CLAG-9 HABPs binding was also affected by pre-treatment of RBCs with enzymes and inhibited erythrocyte invasion in vitro by up to 72% at 200muM. These results suggest that some protein fragments of CLAG-9 may be part of the molecular machinery used by malaria parasites to invade erythrocytes, hence supporting their stu...

Hopes for a New Kind of Malaria Vaccine

TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:00:47 +0100

Don't just vaccinate us; vaccinate the mosquitoes too (Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories)

PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative works toward new malaria vaccine

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:41:56 +0100

PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative is joining hands with Johns Hopkins University and the Sabin Vaccine Institute to pursue a new vaccine approach that blocks the transmission of malaria from mosquitos to humans. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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First Steps Taken Toward The Development Of A Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) has announced a new collaboration to initiate development toward a vaccine that may eventually help eliminate and eradicate malaria. This collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) and the Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) marks MVI's first investment in transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs)... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

First Steps Taken Toward The Development Of A Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) has announced a new collaboration to initiate development toward a vaccine that may eventually help eliminate and eradicate malaria. This collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) and the Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) marks MVI's first investment in transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs). This vaccine approach aims to stop the malaria parasite from developing in the mosquito, effectively blocking transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to humans... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

First steps taken toward the development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Burness Communications) The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative today announced a new collaboration to initiate development toward a vaccine that may eventually help eliminate and eradicate malaria. This collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Sabin Vaccine Institute marks MVI's first investment in transmission-blocking vaccines. This vaccine approach aims to stop the malaria parasite from developing in the mosquito, effectively blocking transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to humans. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Attitude and practice of medical students studying in Hungary and India toward health during overseas and domestic travel

Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Summary: Background: It is presumed that medical students are travelers who can take care of their health, and thus the present study was conducted to elicit the attitude and practice [AP] of medical students from two different countries toward travel health issues.Objectives: To elicit the attitude and practice of medical students from two different countries toward travel health issues and identify the reasons for any variations.Material and methods: An anonymous pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic details, travel aspects, travel health issues, and precautions [medicines carried, vaccination history, and pre-travel consultation] adopted was distributed to 250 foreign medical students studying at the University of Debrecen, Hungary [Group I] and another 250...

Expression of Genes Associated with Immunoproteasome Processing of Major Histocompatibility Complex Peptides Is Indicative of Protection with Adjuvanted RTS,S Malaria Vaccine

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:12:22 +0100

Conclusions. The up‐regulation of genes associated with the efficient processing of major histocompatibility complex peptides suggests a potential role of the vaccine in conferring major histocompatibility complex class 1–mediated protection and may represent a useful surrogate marker of vaccine efficacy without the need for challenge. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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Shift in epitope dominance of IgM and IgG responses to Plasmodium falciparum MSP1 block 4

Malaria Journal — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Production of antibodies specific for each parental and recombinant MSP1 block 4 allele in different populations exposed to P. falciparum is consistent with balancing selection of the MSP1 block 4 region by the immune response of individuals in areas of both low and high malaria transmission. MSP1 block 4 determinants may be important in isolate-specific immunity to P. falciparum. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Also In Global Health News: Dengue Vaccine; Medicines For Poor; Gates New Ag Development Director; USDA Efforts In Afghanistan; Soccer And Malaria

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Experimental Dengue Vaccine Shows Promise In Clinical Trial Of Adults An experimental dengue vaccine created by the drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis protected a group of healthy adults from all four strains of the virus, "bringing the drugmaker closer to providing the first vaccine against a disease that threatens 40 percent of the world's population," Bloomberg/BusinessWeek reports. The trial found that when 66 U.S. adults received 3 doses of the vaccine they were protected against dengue... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Dengue Vaccine; Medicines For Poor; Gates New Ag Development Director; USDA Efforts In Afghanistan; Soccer And Malaria

Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Experimental Dengue Vaccine Shows Promise In Clinical Trial Of Adults An experimental dengue vaccine created by the drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis protected a group of healthy adults from all four strains of the virus, "bringing the drugmaker closer to providing the first vaccine against a disease that threatens 40 percent of the world's population," Bloomberg/BusinessWeek reports... (Source: Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today)

Several domains from VAR2CSA can induce Plasmodium falciparum adhesion-blocking antibodies

Malaria Journal — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: It is possible to induce parasite adhesion-blocking antibodies when immunizing with a number of different VAR2CSA domains. This indicates that the CSA binding site in VAR2CSA is comprised of epitopes from different domains. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Molecular markers of resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine one year after implementation of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in infants in Mali

Malaria Journal — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This study shows no increase in the frequency of molecular markers of SP resistance in areas where IPTi with SP was implemented for one year. (Source: Malaria Journal)

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Vaccine adjuvants: A priority for vaccine research.

Vaccine — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Harandi AM, Medaglini D, Shattock RJ, The workshop on vaccine adjuvants was held in July of 2009 at the European Commission in Brussels, with the goal of identifying key scientific priorities as they pertain to the development of effective vaccines against life-threatening diseases especially those associated with poverty, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis as well as neglected infectious diseases. On the basis of new advances in adjuvant research and related technology as well as potential challenges and roadblocks, six priorities were identified to accelerate development of improved or novel vaccine adjuvants for human use. PMID: 20064476 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Near-fixation of a Pfmsp1 block 2 allelic variant in genetically diverse Plasmodium falciparum populations across Western Colombia.

Acta Tropica — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jiménez JN, Snounou G, Letourneur F, Rénia L, Vélez ID, Muskus CE Assessment of the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in 110 Colombian isolates revealed that nearly all the parasites in the 97 isolates collected in endemic regions west of the Andes shared the same Pfmsp1 block 2 MAD20-type allelic variant, despite showing high diversity for other genetical markers. Analysis of published data indicated that the prevalence of this allelic variant of a major vaccine candidate antigen was already dominant since 1998. This phenomenon, which had not been hitherto recorded for a malaria blood stage antigen, is of biological and immunological interest but remains unexplained. PMID: 20060375 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Tropica)

Regulatory T cells in malaria - friend or foe?

Trends in Immunology — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Finney OC, Riley EM, Walther M T cell-mediated inflammatory immune responses contribute to both the clearance and pathology of malaria infections; the host's ability to down-regulate inflammation once parasitemia is controlled is crucial to avoid immune-mediated pathology but remains poorly understood. Various regulatory populations of T lymphocytes can modulate inflammatory immune responses and there has been considerable recent interest in the potential for regulatory T cells to modify the outcome of both murine and human malaria infections. Here, we review these studies, focussing in particular on recent studies in humans, propose a model by which different regulatory T cell populations might contribute to the control of inflammation at different stages of infection and dis...

Malaria: Weakened Plasmodium Generates Protective Immunity

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Dr. Andrea Crisanti and colleagues have found that weakened Plasmodium elicits a protective immune response. They report their data in the January 2010 issue of the American Journal Pathology. Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that each year affects from 300-500 million people. Malaria is caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, which go through a number of life cycle changes inside the host, increasing the challenges of malarial vaccine development. Plasmepsin 4 is a digestive enzyme that is critical for Plasmodium growth and survival within the host red blood cells... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Malaria: Weakened Plasmodium Generates Protective Immunity

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:00:00 +0100

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Phase 1 safety and immunogenicity trial of the Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage malaria vaccine AMA1-C1/ISA 720 in Australian adults.

Vaccine — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pierce MA, Ellis RD, Martin LB, Malkin E, Tierney E, Miura K, Fay MP, Marjason J, Elliott SL, Mullen GE, Rausch K, Zhu D, Long CA, Miller LH A Phase 1 trial was conducted in malaria-naïve adults to evaluate the recombinant protein vaccine apical membrane antigen 1-Combination 1 (AMA1-C1) formulated in Montanide((R)) ISA 720 (SEPPIC, France), a water-in-oil adjuvant. Vaccinations were halted early due to a formulation issue unrelated to stability or potency. Twenty-four subjects (12 in each group) were enrolled and received 5 or 20mug protein at 0 and 3 months and four subjects were enrolled and received one vaccination of 80mug protein. After first vaccination, nearly all subjects experienced mild to moderate local reactions and six experienced delayed local reactions occ...

Design and pre-clinical profiling of a Plasmodium falciparum MSP-3 derived component for a multi-valent virosomal malaria vaccine

Malaria Journal — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These results reconfirm the suitability of IRIVs as a carrier/adjuvant system for the induction of strong humoral immune responses against a wide range of synthetic peptide antigens. The virosomal formulation of the FB-12 peptidomimetic is suitable for use in humans and represents a candidate component for a virosomal multi-valent malaria subunit vaccine. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Immunological mechanisms underlying protection mediated by RTS,S: a review of the available data

Malaria Journal — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The RTS,S/AS candidate malaria vaccine has demonstrated efficacy against a variety of endpoints in Phase IIa and Phase IIb trials over more than a decade. A multi-country phase III trial of RTS,S/AS01 is now underway with submission as early as 2012, if vaccine safety and efficacy are confirmed. The immunologic basis for how the vaccine protects against both infection and disease remains uncertain. It is, therefore, timely to review the information currently available about the vaccine with regard to how it impacts the human-Plasmodium falciparum host-pathogen relationship. In this article, what is known about mechanisms involved in partial protection against malaria induced by RTS,S is reviewed. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Age-dependent association between IgG2 and IgG3 subclasses to Pf332-C231 antigen and protection from malaria, and induction of protective antibodies by sub-patent malaria infections, in Daraweesh.

Vaccine — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, this report suggests a protective effect for IgG subclasses to Pf332-C231 antigen against malaria. PMID: 20036751 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Advising the traveller

Medicine — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:32:44 +0100

Abstract: Nearly 70 million visits are made from the UK to foreign countries each year. Over the past decade there has been a large increase in travel to tropical destinations that have different health risks from those encountered closer to home. Seeking pre-travel advice should be an essential part of any trip for a traveller, but is often omitted. The key elements of pre-travel advice are health risk assessment and health promotion, which involves advice on prevention of malaria, travellers' diarrhoea, sexually transmitted infections and accidents, as well as appropriate vaccinations. High-risk groups of travellers, such as those visiting friends and relatives, need to be particularly targeted. (Source: Medicine)

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"Top Ten" Humanitarian Crises: Aid blocked and diseases neglected

MSF News — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:04:00 +0100

Civilians attacked, bombed, and cut off from aid in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), along with stagnant funding for treating HIV/AIDS and ongoing neglect of other diseases, were among the worst emergencies in 2009, the international medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported today in its annual list of the "Top Ten" humanitarian crises. Continuing crises in north and south Sudan, along with the failure of the international community to finally combat childhood malnutrition were also included on this year’s list. The list is drawn from MSF’s operational activities in close to 70 countries, where the organization’s medical teams witnessed some of the worst humanitarian condit...

"Top Ten" Humanitarian Crises: Aid Blocked and Diseases Neglected

MSF News — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:13:00 +0100

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 21, 2009 — Civilians attacked, bombed, and cut off from aid in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), along with stagnant funding for treating HIV/AIDS and ongoing neglect of other diseases, were among the worst emergencies in 2009, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported today in its annual list of the "Top Ten" humanitarian crises. Continuing crises in north and south Sudan, along with the failure of the international community to finally combat childhood malnutrition were also included on this year’s list. The list is drawn from MSF’s operational activities in close to 70 countries, where the organization’s medic...

News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0100

New Nasal Vaccine Blocks Parasite Transmission to Mosquitoes An experiemental nasally administered malaria vaccine prevented parasite transmission from infected mice to mosquitoes and could play an important role in the fight against human malaria. The researchers from Japan report their findings in the December 2009 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0100

New Nasal Vaccine Blocks Parasite Transmission to Mosquitoes An experiemental nasally administered malaria vaccine prevented parasite transmission from infected mice to mosquitoes and could play an important role in the fight against human malaria. The researchers from Japan report their findings in the December 2009 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity. Malaria is one of the most significant infectious diseases affecting developing countries and is often prominent in children... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0100

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

"Top Ten" Humanitarian Crises: Aid Blocked and Diseases Neglected

MSF News — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:27:00 +0100

New York, December 21, 2009 — Civilians attacked, bombed, and cut off from aid in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), along with stagnant funding for treating HIV/AIDS and ongoing neglect of other diseases, were among the worst emergencies in 2009, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported today in its annual list of the "Top Ten" humanitarian crises. Continuing crises in north and south Sudan, along with the failure of the international community to finally combat childhood malnutrition were also included on this year’s list. The list is drawn from MSF’s operational activities in close to 70 countries, where the...

"Top Ten" Humanitarian Crises: Aid Blocked and Diseases Neglected

MSF News — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:27:00 +0100

[Review] Host immunity as a determinant of treatment outcome in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Host immunity is an important but poorly understood determinant of antimalarial efficacy, influencing the outcome of prevention and treatment trials. Variations in host immunity might explain why factors such as host genetics, age, pregnancy, infection with HIV, parasite density, and malaria transmission intensity, can raise or lower apparent cure rates. Recently, attempts have been made to characterise immunological correlates of treatment outcome in Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but not yet for Plasmodium vivax. A better understanding of such correlates might improve trials of antimalarial drugs and provide leads for vaccine development. Greater understanding of the relation between host immunity and treatment outcome is crucial to making informed choices about the use of safe but partl...

The Plasmodium serine-type SERA proteases display distinct expression patterns and non-essential in vivo roles during life cycle progression of the malaria parasite

Cellular Microbiology — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we show by antibody localization and in vivo fluorescent tagging with the red fluorescent protein mCherry that the two P. berghei serine-type family members, PbSERA1 and PbSERA2, display differential expression towards the final stages of merozoite formation. Via targeted gene replacement, we generated single and double gene knockouts of the P. berghei SERAser genes. These loss-of-function lines progressed normally through the parasite life cycle, suggesting a specialized, non-vital role for serine-type SERAs in vivo. Parasites lacking PbSERAser showed increased expression of the cysteine-type PbSERA3. Compensatory mechanisms between distinct SERA subfamilies may thus explain the absence of phenotypical defect in SERAser disruptants, and challenge the suitability to develop ...

New nasal vaccine blocks parasite transmission to mosquitoes

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0100

An experimental nasally administered malaria vaccine prevented parasite transmission from infected mice to mosquitoes and could play an important role in the fight against human malaria. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Institute To Identify New Vaccine Targets For Tuberculosis, Malaria, Dengue Virus And Smallpox

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Researchers from the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology will take aim at several of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases - tuberculosis, malaria and dengue virus -- in a five-year, $18.8 million federally-funded set of projects seeking to make new inroads toward vaccines against the disorders. The Institute received four project awards totaling $18... (Source: Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today)

Institute To Identify New Vaccine Targets For Tuberculosis, Malaria, Dengue Virus And Smallpox

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Researchers from the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology will take aim at several of the world's most dangerous infectious diseases - tuberculosis, malaria and dengue virus -- in a five-year, $18.8 million federally-funded set of projects seeking to make new inroads toward vaccines against the disorders. The Institute received four project awards totaling $18.8 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to fund the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Institute To Identify New Vaccine Targets For Tuberculosis, Malaria, Dengue Virus And Smallpox

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Malaria vaccines: current situation, challenges and strategy for the future; a developer’s perspective from the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative

Future Medicine: Therapy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:54:55 +0100

Therapy , January 2010, Vol. 7, No. 1, Pages 59-67. (Source: Future Medicine: Therapy)