Functional immuno-genetic correlates of immunity to malaria

This is a South-driven capacity building research collaboration involving multiple (5) partners with the overall aim of building human and institutional capacity in the conduct of sustainable innovative malaria vaccine related research that will improve the general well-being of populations living in malaria endemic areas. The partners include Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Navrongo Health Research Centre in Ghana and Statens Serum Institut, Københavns Universitet in Denmark. Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria is the leading cause of morbidity in Ghana, responsible for about 38% of all outpatient illnesses, 36% of all admissions, and 33% of all deaths in children under 5 years. Current intervention measures have contributed in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality, but long-term sustainability is not guaranteed. Vaccines against malaria therefore remain an important public health goal since vaccines have proven to be effective low-cost public health intervention tools with wide coverage. Vaccine candidates have been selected based on 1) association of malarial antibody titres with reduced risk of malaria in sero-epidemiological studies and 2) capacity of their anti-IgG preparations to inhibit parasite growth in vitro, either alone (GIA (Growth Inhibition Assay)) or in cooperation with monocytes or neutrophils (OP (Opsonic Phagocytosis)). In these studies, and in vaccine trial data analysis, all individuals are thought to benefit equally from naturally or vaccine induced protective antibodies. The hypothesis is that protective malaria immunity is a result of interplay between antibodies and host genetic factors and that individuals do not benefit equally from protective antibodies due to polymorphisms in certain key genes.

Project details

Immunology

Ghana