Plasmodium species antigen

Plasmodium species antigens are a diverse group of proteins and molecules produced by malaria parasites that are recognized by the host immune system and serve as the foundation for vaccine and diagnostic development (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2015, https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro3435). These antigens, such as the Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP), are essential for the parasite's life cycle, including host cell recognition and invasion (WHO, 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malaria-vaccine-implementation-programme). In clinical practice, specific antigens like Histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) are used as biomarkers in rapid diagnostic tests to confirm infection (CDC, 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/rdt.html). Vaccines like RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M target these antigens to elicit protective antibody and T-cell responses (The Lancet, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00943-0). However, the effectiveness of targeting these antigens is often hindered by significant genetic diversity and the parasite's ability to undergo antigenic variation to evade host immunity (Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 2020, https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.00166). Furthermore, the emergence of parasites with gene deletions, such as pfhrp2/3, poses a threat to the reliability of antigen-based diagnostic tools (WHO, 2023).

Other names

Malaria antigenPlasmodial antigenPlasmodium spp. protein

Vaccines targeting these antigens induce neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses to block parasite entry into host cells or eliminate infected cells (WHO, 2023, https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malaria-vaccine-implementation-programme).