T-CELL RESPONSES IN MALARIA

Malaria is caused by infection with protozoan parasites of the genus P lasmodium. It remains one of the most severe health problems in tropic al regions of the world, and the rapid spread of resistance to drugs a nd insecticides has stimulated intensive research aimed at the develop ment of a malaria vaccine. Despite this, no efficient operative vaccin e is currently available. A large amount of information on T-cell resp onses to malaria antigens has been accumulated, concerning antigens de rived from all stages of the parasite life cycle. The present review s ummarizes some of that information, and discusses factors affecting th e responses of T cells to malaria antigens.