Impact of declining malaria transmission on human immunity

What is it about?

We investigated the poorly understood impact of declining malaria transmission on maintenance of antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum , including functional immunity, in a 3-year longitudinal cohort of 300 Kenyan children A decline in malaria transmission is associated with reduction in naturally acquired immunity. However, loss of immunity is not universal; some key functional responses and antibodies to IEs were better maintained and these may continue to provide some protection. Findings have implications for malaria surveillance and control measures and informing vaccine development.

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