Taking a Bite Out of Malaria

Vaccine found effective in mice

THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- A new malaria vaccine that guards against the main toxin produced by malaria parasites is effective in mice, says a study in today's issue of Nature.

The Australian scientists who developed the mouse vaccine hope this is a step toward creating a similar vaccine for use in humans. So far, no vaccine has proven effective in protecting humans against malaria.

The scientists identified a toxin called glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) that contributes to malaria's virulence in mice, and possibly in humans. They then created a compound that stimulates an immune response against GPI.

In initial tests, the scientists found their anti-GPI vaccine did provoke an antibody response in the mice. They found the vaccine alleviated three complications of malaria - blood acidosis, pulmonary edema and cerebral syndrome, caused when the malaria parasite clogs the cerebral arteries.

The researchers say their findings indicate GPI is a good focus for a vaccine. However, they're cautious about predicting whether it will actually be possible to produce a GPI vaccine for humans.

Malaria affects 5 percent to 10 percent of the world's population, and kills 2 million people each year.

More information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about malaria.

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