Malaria vaccine hope revealed
An international research project has shown immunity to malaria can be developed by patients inoculated with intact parasites while being treated with the common anti-malarial chloroquine. This kills the parasites towards the end of their life in the human body, apparently giving immune systems enough time to develop resistance.
An international research project has shown immunity to malaria can be developed by patients inoculated with intact parasites while being treated with the common anti-malarial chloroquine. This kills the parasites towards the end of their life in the human body, apparently giving immune systems enough time to develop resistance.
Scientists from France, the Netherlands and Singapore infected volunteers with malaria parasites on three occasions at monthly intervals while taking chloroquine, and four weeks later without taking the drug - they did not become infected.
The European Commission said: "The next question for the researchers is to investigate how long this protection lasts; this will be assessed in a follow-up study."
Participants were also given anti-malarial drugs after the experiment as a precaution.