Article
Infectious Diseases
Anders Bjorkman, Christine Stabell Benn, Peter Aaby, Allan Schapira
Summary: In October 2021, WHO recommended the RTS,S malaria vaccine for children from age 5 months in regions with moderate to high malaria transmission. However, there are concerns about the mortality data from the malaria vaccine implementation programme (MVIP), including potential bias, inappropriate use of surrogate markers, statistically nonsignificant effect, and shortened assessment period. The claimed impact of the MVIP on mortality lacks scientific evidence, and the possibility of increased mortality among vaccinated girls compared to boys cannot be ruled out. The MVIP should follow planned analyses and provide data for independent assessment. Rigorous evaluation, especially regarding safety, is necessary for vaccine roll-out elsewhere.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Hassan Mumtaz, Abdullah Nadeem, Wajeeha Bilal, Farrukh Ansar, Saira Saleem, Qaisar Ali Khan, Tamara Tango, Christopher Farkouh, Naod F. Belay, Ravina Verma, Matthew Farkouh, Muhammad Saqib
Summary: Malaria remains a major cause of child mortality in malaria-stricken regions, but the use of artemisinin-based drugs has significantly reduced the number of malaria-related deaths. The European Medicines Agency has issued a favorable conclusion on the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, recommending its extensive use by the World Health Organization. However, challenges related to acceptability, feasibility, and availability need to be addressed for successful vaccination programs.
IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hillary M. Topazian, Nora Schmit, Ines Gerard-Ursin, Giovanni D. Charles, Hayley Thompson, Azra C. Ghani, Peter Winskill
Summary: To improve the effectiveness of the RTS, S vaccine, it is necessary to scale up its implementation alongside existing interventions. The use of RTS, S results in reductions in malaria cases and deaths, especially when combined with 60% ITN use, increased ITN usage or a switch to PBO nets, and the introduction of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in eligible areas.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Navneet Arora, Lokhesh C. Anbalagan, Ashok K. Pannu
Summary: The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine is safe and immunogenic in children, but has modest efficacy against clinical malaria and requires a booster dose for improved protection. Its cost-effectiveness and potential public health impact are being assessed for wider deployment.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHCARE POLICY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Peter Ngulube
Summary: Malaria vaccines targeting the CSP protein have shown some promise, but the RTS, S vaccine has limited success with only 58% efficacy for severe disease. The CSP protein is a key candidate for pre-erythrocytic stage vaccines. Research is underway to understand the structure and characteristics of antibodies specific to CSP and explore other methods for producing functional antibodies. This review highlights recent findings on humoral immune responses to CSP elicited by the RTS, S vaccine.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jane Grant, Thomas Gyan, Francis Agbokey, Jayne Webster, Brian Greenwood, Kwaku Poku Asante
Summary: This study identified 12 main challenges and lessons learned by health service managers and health workers during the planning and early implementation phases of the RTS,S/AS01(E) pilot introduction in Ghana. The findings highlight the need for longer, more intensive and sustained delivery of contextually-appropriate sensitization prior to implementation.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abdullah Nadeem, Wajeeha Bilal
Summary: Malaria remains a serious infectious disease and is a leading cause of death among children in malaria endemic areas. Development of malaria vaccines has made significant progress in the last decade, with the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine recommended for widespread use by the World Health Organization. However, acceptance of the vaccine is relatively low in middle-income countries, possibly due to lack of information. Careful consideration of each community's socio-cultural setting is necessary for the proper execution of the vaccination program.
ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
S. Moses Dennison, Matthew Reichartz, Milite Abraha, Rachel L. Spreng, Ulrike Wille-Reece, Sheetij Dutta, Erik Jongert, S. Munir Alam, Georgia D. Tomaras
Summary: The malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01 demonstrated enhanced efficacy in a delayed third fractional dose regimen compared to a standard full dose. Analysis of serum antibodies showed that higher NANP6-specific antibody responses were associated with protection in the standard dose group, while slower antibody dissociation rates and higher N-interface peptide binding antibody responses were observed in the protected delayed fractional dose group.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Nginache Nampota Nkomba, Cristiana Cairo, Miriam K. Laufer
Summary: The first malaria vaccine has been approved for children in malaria-endemic areas, but its modest efficacy highlights the need for further attention and research.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Roger Suau, Marta Vidal, Ruth Aguilar, Gemma Ruiz-Olalla, Miquel Vazquez-Santiago, Chenjerai Jairoce, Augusto J. Nhabomba, Ben Gyan, David Dosoo, Kwaku Poku Asante, Seth Owusu-Agyei, Joseph J. Campo, Luis Izquierdo, David Cavanagh, Ross L. Coppel, Virander Chauhan, Evelina Angov, Sheetij Dutta, Deepak Gaur, James G. Beeson, Gemma Moncunill, Carlota Dobano
Summary: The study found that RTS,S/AS01(E) vaccine can induce IgA antibody responses in children against circumsporozoite protein and other malaria antigens, but no statistically significant association of IgA with protection was found yet.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Stephen Tukwasibwe, Gerald Mboowa, Ivan Sserwadda, Joaniter I. Nankabirwa, Emmanuel Arinaitwe, Isaac Ssewanyana, Yoweri Taremwa, Gerald Tumusiime, Moses R. Kamya, Prasanna Jagannathan, Annettee Nakimuli
Summary: Vaccination is a highly effective public health strategy in preventing infectious diseases and has saved millions of lives. However, the efficacy of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine is challenged by genetic variation in humans and malaria parasites, leading to variable responses. This review focuses on human genetic factors that determine variable responses to vaccination and how immune system gene variation affects the immunogenicity and efficacy of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matthew Cairns, Amadou Barry, Issaka Zongo, Issaka Sagara, Serge R. Yerbanga, Modibo Diarra, Charles Zoungrana, Djibrilla Issiaka, Abdoul Aziz Sienou, Amadou Tapily, Koualy Sanogo, Mahamadou Kaya, Seydou Traore, Kalifa Diarra, Hama Yalcouye, Youssoufa Sidibe, Alassane Haro, Ismaila Thera, Paul Snell, Jane Grant, Halidou Tinto, Paul Milligan, Daniel Chandramohan, Brian Greenwood, Alassane Dicko, Jean Bosco Ouedraogo
Summary: A trial in Burkina Faso and Mali showed that combining the seasonal vaccination with RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine and seasonal malaria chemoprevention was more effective in preventing malaria compared to using each intervention alone. The efficacy of both interventions was highest immediately post-administration, but declined over time.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michael Rockson Adjei, Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, Rafiq Okine, Peter Ofori Tweneboah, Emmanuel Tettey Sally, John Frederick Dadzie, Fred Osei-Sarpong, Michael Jeroen Adjabeng, John Tanko Bawa, George Bonsu, Kwadwo Odei Antwi-Agyei, Basil Benduri Kaburi, Felicia Owusu-Antwi, Elizabeth Juma, Francis Chisaka Kasolo, Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye
Summary: This study evaluated the successes and challenges of the malaria vaccine implementation program in Ghana, finding that the vaccine introduction process was smooth and contributed to an improvement in routine immunization services. The vaccine had a positive impact on under five malaria morbidity. The study recommends a phased subnational approach for nationwide scale-up of the vaccine, along with intensive advocacy, community engagement, and regular supportive supervision.
Article
Microbiology
Nathan Beutler, Tossapol Pholcharee, David Oyen, Yevel Flores-Garcia, Randall S. MacGill, Elijah Garcia, Jaeson Calla, Mara Parren, Linlin Yang, Wayne Volkmuth, Emily Locke, Jason A. Regules, Sheetij Dutta, Daniel Emerling, Angela M. Early, Daniel E. Neafsey, Elizabeth Winzeler, Richter King, Fidel Zavala, Dennis R. Burton, Ian A. Wilson, Thomas F. Rogers
Summary: This study identifies a previously unidentified conserved epitope on CSP that could be targeted by prophylactic antibodies and exploited in structure-based vaccine design.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Angela K. Moturi, Rose Jalang'o, Anitah Cherono, Samuel K. Muchiri, Robert W. Snow, Emelda A. Okiro
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the coverage of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine during the first 36 months of the Kenyan pilot implementation. The results showed high service-based coverage but low community coverage of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine. Monitoring and intervention are needed for vaccine uptake, service access, and dropout rates.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hans de Graaf, Diane Gbesemete, Andrew R. Gorringe, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Kent E. Kester, Saul N. Faust, Robert C. Read
Article
Immunology
Robert A. van den Berg, Margherita Coccia, W. Ripley Ballou, Kent E. Kester, Christian F. Ockenhouse, Johan Vekemans, Erik Jongert, Arnaud M. Didierlaurent, Robbert G. van der Most
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Immunology
C. M. Nielsen, J. Vekemans, M. Lievens, K. E. Kester, J. A. Regules, C. F. Ockenhouse
Editorial Material
Immunology
Emil P. Lesho, Paige E. Waterman, Uzo Chukwuma, Kathryn McAuliffe, Charlotte Neumann, Michael D. Julius, Helen Crouch, Ruvani Chandrasekera, Judith F. English, Robert J. Clifford, Kent E. Kester
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2014)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Emil Lesho, David Craft, Benjamin C. Kirkup, Paige Waterman, Amy Summers, Maryanne T. Vahey, Kent E. Kester, Robert Bowden
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2011)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael T. White, Philip Bejon, Ally Olotu, Jamie T. Griffin, Eleanor M. Riley, Kent E. Kester, Christian F. Ockenhouse, Azra C. Ghani
Review
Oncology
Vlado Antonic, Alexander Stojadinovic, Kent E. Kester, Peter J. Weina, Bjoern L. D. M. Bruecher, Mladjan Protic, Itzhak Avital, Mina Izadjoo
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Kingston H. G. Mills, Kent E. Kester, Beate Kampmann, Marcela Silerova, Ulrich Heininger, Jacques J. M. van Dongen, Robbert G. van der Most, Martijn A. Huijnen, Emilio Siena, Nathalie Mielcarek, Martina M. Ochs, Philippe Denoel, Guy Berbers, Annemarie M. Buisman, Marien I. de Jonge, Craig Fenwick, Andrew Gorringe, Qiushui He, Dominic Kelly, Roger Le Grand, Camille Locht, Francoise Mascart, Jussi Mertsola, Alberto Orfao, Giuseppe Pantaleo, Andrew J. Pollard, Andrew Preston, Robert Read, Peter Sebo, Cecile van Els, Branislav Vecerek, Patricia Londono-Hayes, Ronald de Groot
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Hans de Graaf, Muktar Ibrahim, Alison R. Hill, Diane Gbesemete, Andrew T. Vaughan, Andrew Gorringe, Andrew Preston, Annemarie M. Buisman, Saul N. Faust, Kent E. Kester, Guy A. M. Berbers, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Robert C. Read
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Antonello Pessi, Sandra L. Bixler, Veronica Soloveva, Sheli Radoshitzky, Cary Retterer, Tara Kenny, Rouzbeh Zamani, Glenn Gomba, Dima Gharabeih, Jay Wells, Kelly S. Wetzel, Travis K. Warren, Ginger Donnelly, Sean A. Van Tongeren, Jesse Steffens, Allen J. Duplantier, Christopher D. Kane, Pascale Vicat, Valerie Couturier, Kent E. Kester, John Shiver, Kara Carter, Sina Bavari
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Marcia A. Blackman, Mark A. Marchionni, John Gilly, Matthew Hepburn, Bruce L. Innis, Alan D. T. Barrett, Kent E. Kester, John R. Mascola, James F. Cummings, Thomas P. Monath, M. Cristina Cassetti, Jerome H. Kim, Melanie Saville, Stephen J. Thomas
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
January Weiner, David J. M. Lewis, Jeroen Maertzdorf, Hans-Joachim Mollenkopf, Caroline Bodinham, Kat Pizzoferro, Catherine Linley, Aldona Greenwood, Alberto Mantovani, Barbara Bottazzi, Philippe Denoel, Geert Leroux-Roels, Kent E. Kester, Ingileif Jonsdottir, Robert van den Berg, Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, Giuseppe Del Giudice
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Immunology
Nicholas A. C. Jackson, Kent E. Kester, Danilo Casimiro, Sanjay Gurunathan, Frank DeRosa
Meeting Abstract
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicholas Jackson, Valerie Lecouturier, Konstantin Pugachev, Nicolas Burdin, Harry Kleanthous, Kent Kester, Fernando Noriega, Jim Tartaglia, Jon Heinrichs
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2017)