Understanding mechanisms of immunity that protect from malaria is essential for the development of highly effective vaccines. The merozoite form of the parasite, which invades red blood cells, is an important target of protective immunity (Beeson et al., 2016). Biryukov et al. bring to our attention the potential ability of complement factors to enhance P. falciparum merozoite invasion in vitro...

BACKGROUND A polymorphic malaria parasite antigen, merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3), is among the blood stage malaria vaccine candidates. It is believed to induce immunity through cytophilic antibodies that disrupt the process of erythrocytes invasion by merozoites. This study aimed at assessing natural acquisition of antibodies to MSP3 in individuals living in an area with different malaria ...