Possibility of Malaria Vaccine

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Recently scientists researched on a new malaria vaccine. Lab test showed, it has the ability to neutralize all strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. There is no licensed malaria vaccine till now. But, this vaccine named PfRH5 has the possibility. It's tested on rabbits in laboratory.

There are 4 types of malaria parasite. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for nine out of 10 malaria death. It's the most serous type of malaria. The route which malaria uses to enter blood cells is found by the scientists recently. Parasites usually change their strains. So, immune system does not recognize and vaccine doesn’t work nicely. But, scientists said that, they had been able to knock down every strain they had been able to produce in the laboratory. Really it's exciting news.

Vaccine against malaria is very hard to develop. Because, parasites antigens is the target of vaccine, but, malaria parasites tend to be genetically so diverse. The RH5 antigen doesn't show this diversity. So, it could be a good target for a vaccine to exploit. 

According to the study, P. falciparum depends on a particular molecule, RH5, to gain access to red blood cell. The protein RH5 latches onto a specific receptor molecule on the surface of blood cells. Thus, it unlocks a gateway for the parasites and parasites enter into red blood cells and they grow, replicate and cause malaria. The new vaccine induces an immune response against RH5 to stop the lock turning and keep the door shut.

Scientists said, very soon there will be a safety tests on the vaccine. If it's successful, clinical trials in patients could begin within the next two or three years.