Simultaneous antibody detection and immuno-epidemiology of malaria

Malaria is one of the world¿s most deadly diseases. Even though it is highly preventable and treatable, it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the tropics. As the campaign for malaria eradication widens, more areas will achieve low transmission of Plasmodium falciparum. However, little data exists on how the absence of transmission will affect antibody responses to malaria antigens. The current knowledge of immunological responses to malaria, a major tropical disease, is insufficient, and a better understanding of these responses would support vaccine development. The aim of this study was to validate and standardize a cytometric multiplex assay for simultaneous detection of antibodies to malaria vaccine candidates and examine antibody responses to P. falciparum antigens in the highland regions of western Kenya. This study also gives us an opportunity to further understand correlates of humoral immunity in an epidemiological context that informs vaccine development strategy in unstable seasonal transmission areas experiencing zero transmission.