Theoretical Implications of a Pre-Erythrocytic Plasmodium vivax Vaccine for Preventing Relapses

Abstract

Preventing malaria infection through vaccination requires preventing every sporozoite inoculated by mosquito bite: a major challenge for Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium vivax sporozoites consist of tachysporozoites causing primary infection and bradysporozoites leading to relapses. We hypothesise that a candidate P. vivax vaccine with low efficacy against primary infection may substantially reduce transmission by preventing relapses.

Keywords: Plasmodium vivax; hypnozoite; malaria; relapse; vaccine.