Abstract

Children in regions of intense malaria transmission are particularly vulnerable to malaria in their first years of life before they acquire substantial immunity. The processes underlying the acquisition and loss of immunity are investigated with biological models of immunological processes fitted to antibody titres to malaria parasite antigens using data from longitudinal cohort studies of Ghanaian and Gambian children.

Recent Phase III trials of the RTS ,S malaria vaccine have demonstrated 55% efficacy against clinical malaria in African children. Models are use to explore the potential impact of vaccination on naturally-acquired immunity and incidence of clinical malaria, in a range of transmission settings and against a background of existing malaria control interventions such as insecticide treated nets.