EFFICIENCY OF HUMAN PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM MALARIA VACCINE CANDIDATES IN AOTUS-LEMURINUS MONKEYS

The protective efficacy of several recombinant and a synthetic Plasmod ium falciparum protein was assessed in Aotus monkeys. The rp41 aldolas e, the 190L fragment of the MSA-1 protein and fusion 190L-CS. T3 prote in containing the CS. T3 helper ''universal'' epitope were emulsified in Freund's adjuvants and injected 3 times in groups of 4-5 monkeys ea ch one. The synthetic polymer Spf (66)30 also emulsified in Freund's a djuvants was injected 6 times. Control groups for both experiments wer e immunized with saline solution in the same adjuvant following the sa me schedules. Serology for malaria specific antibodies showed seroconv ersion in monkeys immunized with the recombinant proteins but not in t hose immunized with the polymer nor in the controls. Challenge was per formed with the 10(5) parasites from the P. falciparum FVO isolate. Ne ither rp41 nor SPf(66)30 induced protection, whereas 190L induced sign ificant delay of parasitemia. The fusion of the CS. T3 epitope to 190L significantly increased its protective capacity.