Immunization of man against falciparum and vivax malaria by use of attenuated sporozoites

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1975 May;24(3):397-401. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1975.24.397.

Abstract

With strict adherence to ethical guidelines, a volunteer was immunized against sporozoites of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, the antigen consisting of attenuated sporozoites of each species inoculated through bites of mosquitoes X-irradiated at a minimum dosage of 15,000 rads. On one occasion this dosage did not render all P. vivax sporozoites noninfective. Species specificity of antigen and antibody was demonstrated, but within each species a wide geographical diversity of strains proved interchangeably antigenic and susceptible to the antibody. Once immunized, the volunteer was protected for not more than 3 months and 6 months, respectively, from infective P. falciparum and P. vivax sporozoites, the duration of protection being reflected by a positive species-specific circumsporozoite reaction. Studies in this volunteer, and in two others immunized with P. falciparum sporozoites, did not reveal any increase in serum levels of immunoglobulins G and M.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anopheles / parasitology
  • Anopheles / radiation effects
  • Apicomplexa / immunology
  • Apicomplexa / pathogenicity*
  • Apicomplexa / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Immunization / methods*
  • Immunoglobulins / analysis
  • Malaria / immunology
  • Malaria / prevention & control*
  • Malaria / transmission
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity*
  • Plasmodium vivax / drug effects
  • Plasmodium vivax / immunology
  • Plasmodium vivax / pathogenicity*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins