Inhibition of P. falciparum growth in human erythrocytes by monoclonal antibodies.

Malaria is increasing in incidence and prevalence in most tropical areas and is a major problem for both individuals and communities. Current malaria research is aimed at developing vaccines and, for this, it may be useful to define Plasmodium antigen(s) related to the development of a protective immune response in the host. Monoclonal antibodies have recently been shown to interfere with rodent malaria infection (Plasmodium berghei) at the sporozoite or merozoite stage. We have now raised monoclonal antibodies against single antigenic determinant(s) of Plasmodium falciparum and report that some of them inhibit the growth of erythrocytic forms of P. falciparum in vitro.