Antigenic structure and related aspects of the biology of plasmodia: the present situation: Scientific Working Group on the Immunology of Malaria.

Major progress has been made in the production of monoclonal antibodies against various Plasmodium species and developmental stages. Some of the monoclonal antibodies, especially those directed against sporozoites, have proved to be protective in rodent and simian systems. Antigenic analysis has been advanced by the application of these monoclonal antibodies, and recent studies have concentrated on membrane-bound antigens.While promising leads have emerged from the in vitro production of viable gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum and from the in vitro cultivation of exoerythrocytic forms of rodent plasmodia, little progress has been made in the scaling up of in vitro cultures of asexual forms of P. falciparum. Techniques for the separation, isolation, and purification of parasite material have been improved.Areas that require urgent attention are identified, with particular emphasis on antigenic analysis and the production of antigens for vaccine development and immunodiagnosis.