IMMUNE-MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE PREMUNITION AGAINST PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MALARIA

The most unique characteristic of a parasite when it is in its normal host is the ability to make itself tolerated which clearly indicates t hat it has sophisticated means to ensure the neutrality of its host. T his is true also in the case of Plasmodium falciparum, since after num erous malaria attacks art equilibrium is reached with a chronic stage of infection, characterized by a relatively low parasitemia, and low o r no disease (Sergent & Parrot 1935). We shall briefly review the main characteristics of this state of ''premunition'', and present data su ggesting that the underlying mechanisms of defense rely on the coopera tion between cell and antibodies, leading to an antibody dependent cel lular inhibition of the intra-erythrocytic growth of the parasite.