Defeating Malaria for Good: Scientists Are Optimistic

28 octombrie 2025

2 min de lectură

Deschide ghid Deschide colecția Deschide seria

Researchers have identified how natural human antibodies can block the entry of malaria parasites into red blood cells. This is a key step towards ending malaria in the world.

Concluzii cheie

Researchers have identified how natural human antibodies can block the entry of malaria parasites into red blood cells.
How does malaria develop?
What does the new research tell us?

Pentru cine este

Persoane care explorează Blood prin intermediul malaria, blood.

De ce contează

Acest articol te ajută să te orientezi rapid, apoi să treci la o colecție sau serie dacă vrei să continui.

Autorul articolului

Darya

Writer, Ornament

The study, led by Associate Professor Wai-Hon Tham and Ph.D. student Li-Jin Chen of the Australian Medical Research Institute, and Professor Christopher King of Case Western University, Ohio, United States, was published in the journal Nature Communications. The study helps scientists better understand how antibodies block the entry of the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax into young red blood cells called reticulocytes.

How does malaria develop?

The malaria parasite is a complex, single-celled organism with a variety of proteins that help it enter, multiply, and spread throughout red blood cells. The most well-known malaria parasite in the world and the main cause of malaria in the vast majority of countries outside of Africa is Plasmodium vivax. On the surface of the parasite are the so-called key proteins that "open" the cells, allowing the parasite to enter. Until now, it was believed that it was impossible to resist this process.

What does the new research tell us?

“We wanted to understand how these human antibodies when naturally infected, respond to the entry of the parasite into cells. By examining antibodies in people who have already had P. vivax infections, we have identified different ways human antibodies work against P. vivax.

Parasite proteins are too close to the membrane of the reticulocytes," said Wai-Hon Tham. In the future, researchers will carry out tests to find out whether the antibodies borrowed from those who recovered are capable of working in the body of healthy people.

If researchers can teach cells to recognize malaria and block it "on the fly," this will be a breakthrough in science and medicine.

Evidence base

Only 200 people took part in this study, but researchers are confident that the data obtained is enough to start the development of neutralizing antibodies that can fight malaria since 48 % of people developed immunity after the introduction of the drug based on foreign antibodies. For some, this was accompanied by symptoms of the disease in a mild form, while for others it did not cause any symptoms.

The goal of the researchers is to create a vaccine that is administered to humans once in a lifetime or on a regular basis, which guarantees the body's resistance to malaria.

If they succeed, we will be able to talk about malaria’s elimination as we talk about the elimination of smallpox and other diseases.

Sources: Li-Jin Chan et al. Naturally acquired blocking human monoclonal antibodies to Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding protein 2b, Nature Communications (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21811-2

Continuă lectura

Blood#blood

We Are of Different Blood: Facts About Rh Factor

About 15 % of the world's population are Rh-negative, and the remaining 85 % are Rh-positive. The characteristic of Rh-negative has led to much speculation and research. What do we know about it?

Dr. Rimma28 oct. 2025

Blood#blood biochemistry

What Can a Blood Test Tell Us? 4 Important Questions About Biochemistry

In addition to a general blood test, specialists of various directions often recommend taking blood biochemistry tests. Why is this beneficial?

Dr. Rimma28 oct. 2025

Pediatrics#hemoglobin

Blood Transfusion for Premature Babies: A New Perspective

The largest randomized clinical trial on blood transfusion to premature babies was completed by Dr. Haresh Kirpalani of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Edward Bell of the University of Iowa, and colleagues from the Neonatal Research Network, including Dr. Rosemary Higgins of the George Mason University College of Health and Human Services. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. To date, this is the most ambitious research in the world that examines blood transfusion in premature babies.

Darya28 oct. 2025

Ornament blog#WBC

Scientists Have Figured Out How To Help People With Antibiotic Resistance Cope With Pneumonia

Along with colleagues in London, Madrid, and Munich, a University of Münster research team gained new insights into the cellular processes involved in pneumonia. The research was led by Prof. Jan Rossynt and Prof. Alexander Zarbock, experts in the field of anesthesiology and intensive care.

Darya28 oct. 2025

Instalează Ornament pentru a nu doar citi aceste articole, ci și pentru a-ți urmări sănătatea, a stoca rezultatele analizelor și a accesa alte funcții utile

Instalează Ornament