Interplay between AMA1 immunisation and parasite challenge leads to protection against malaria infection in rhesus macaques

Abstract

Plasmodium knowlesi (Pk), a simian malaria parasite, is a suitable primate model for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), and it was recently identified as the fifth human malaria parasite [1]. To test the ability of yeast-expressed PkAMA1 (Figure 1) to protect rhesus macaques upon challenge with Pk, six healthy rhesus monkeys were vaccinated with PkAMA1 and six control monkeys were vaccinated with PfAMA1 formulated in an oil in water adjuvant [2]. All monkeys received three i.m. vaccinations at 4 week intervals