A new vaccine has been developed for all malaria strains
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The leaders of the international group of scientists reported that recently the specialists managed to develop a new powerful vaccine aimed at combating various strains of malaria. Specialists for the first time managed to use protective T cells against parasites that cause malaria.
The first experiments were carried out on animals and after the completion of the experiments the scientists reported that the new technique helped protect all animals from malaria. At the moment, the vaccine is unique, because until today none of the well-known vaccines has had such an action.
Workers at the University of Griffith emphasize that absolutely all strains of malaria differ from each other. The main difference between strains is found in surface particles (molecules) that can be recognized by antibodies. The imperfection of previously created vaccines is that they contribute to the formation of specific antibodies.
Immunoglobulins (they are also antibodies) are a separate class of glycoproteins that are found both in the blood serum and on the surface of B-lymphocytes. Antibodies have the ability to bind to certain types of molecules. The main functions that perform antibodies in the body: binding (with molecules of a certain type) and effector (the body's immune system uses antibodies to neutralize or destroy foreign cells). Any immunoglobulins possess both functions, one part of the molecule is responsible for effector functions, and the second is responsible for the recognition and binding of the antigen.
Over the past decades, experts from the United States and Europe have been working to create a universal vaccine that can prevent malaria. Malaria - a dangerous disease that was formerly called marsh fever - is a group of infectious diseases. Usually, the disease is transmitted to a person through a mosquito bite and is accompanied by chills, fever, an increase in internal organs and anemia. Every year around 350 million cases of malaria are recorded worldwide, and about one and a half million cases of infection result in a fatal outcome.
After infection with malaria, the parasites are inside the red blood cells. The main goal of the researchers was to determine the possibility of destroying parasites with protective T cells, which are located inside lymphocytes (white blood cells). Scientists say that the new vaccine will protect people from the disease, as well as from all known malaria strains at the moment. Testing on animals has been successful, so experts are sure that subsequent experiments will also succeed. An important point scientists believe is that the financial and time costs are not too high, so the vaccine will be affordable even in countries with low incomes. The greatest number of infections is recorded annually in Africa, Asia and Oceania. Over the past two decades, the number of deaths has doubled, and if medicine does not intervene, then, predictably, after twenty years, the mortality rate will increase several times more.
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