Circumsporozoite Surface Protein-based malaria vaccines: a review

Malaria represents a serious public health problem, presenting with high rates of incidence, morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. According to the World Health Organization, in 2018 there were 228 million cases and 405 thousand deaths caused by this disease in the world, affecting mainly children and pregnant women in Africa. Despite the programs carried out to control this disease, drug resistance and invertebrate vector resistance to insecticides have generated difficulties. An efficient vaccine against malaria would be a strategy with a high impact on the eradication and control of this disease. Researches aimed at developing vaccines have focused on antigens of high importance for the survival of the parasite such as the Circumsporozoite Surface Protein, involved in the pre-erythrocytic cycle during parasites invasion in hepatocytes. Currently, RTS’S is the most promising vaccine for malaria and was constructed using CSP; its performance was evaluated using two types of adjuvants: AS01 and AS02. The purpose of this review was to provide a bibliographic survey of historical researches that led to the development of RTS’S and its performance analysis over the decade. The search for new adjuvants to be associated with this antigen seems to be a way to obtain higher percentages of protection for a future malaria vaccine

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 as a vaccine candidate: a brief review

Despite the many efforts of researchers around the world, there is currently no effective vaccine for malaria. Numerous studies have been developed to find vaccine antigens that are immunogenic and safe. Among antigen candidates, Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) has stood out in a number of these studies for its ability to induce a consistent and protective immune response, also being safe for use in humans. This review presents the main studies that explored MSP3 as a vaccine candidate over the last few decades. MSP3 formulations were tested in animals and humans and the most advanced candidate formulations are MSP3-LSP, a combination of MSP3 and LSP1, and GMZ2 (a vaccine based on the recombinant protein fusion GLURP and MSP3) which is currently being tested in phase II clinical studies. This brief review highlights the history and the main formulations of MSP3-based vaccines approaches against P. falciparum

Chicken eggs as a surveillance tool for malaria and leishmaniasis vector presence

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Malaria and leishmaniases are transmitted by vectors during blood-feeding. Vector-infected animals develop antibodies against the vector’s saliva. This study evaluated IgY antibody detection in the chicken eggs exposed to bites from Migonemyia migonei, Lutzomyia longipalpis and Anopheles aquasalis. METHODS: We used ELISA to quantify the antibody levels in the sera and exposed chicken eggs. RESULTS: High IgY levels were observed following immunization; furthermore, higher reactivity was observed in the eggs and species-specific immune response was observed post final immunization. CONCLUSIONS: Chicken eggs can be used as sentinels to surveil vector saliva antibodies

Relações entre profissionais de saúde e usuários durante as práticas em saúde Relationships between health professionals and users throughout health care practices

Apresenta-se uma revisão integrativa sobre estudos que abordam as relações entre profissionais de saúde e usuários durante as práticas em saúde. Objetivou-se identificar os aspectos pesquisados no cotidiano dos serviços acerca dessas relações. A coleta foi realizada nas bases Lilacs e Pubmed segundo os descritores: acolhimento; relações profissional-família; relações profissional-paciente; humanização da assistência; e a palavra 'vínculo' associada ao descritor Sistema Único de Saúde. Selecionaram-se 290 estudos publicados entre 1990 e 2010. Por meio da análise temática, foram criados cinco núcleos de sentido: a relevância da confiança na relação profissional-usuário; sentimentos e sentidos na prática do cuidado; a importância da comunicação nos serviços de saúde; modo de organização das práticas em saúde; e (des)colonialismo. Identificou-se que as relações estabelecidas nas práticas de saúde têm uma dimensão transformadora. No entanto, permanece o desafio de humanizar os serviços de saúde. A enfermagem se destaca na produção do conhecimento nessa temática.<br>This article presents an integrative review about studies that address the relationships between health professionals and users in health care practices. It aimed to identify aspects that were researched on the daily life of the services concerning such relationships. Data were collected from the Lilacs and Pubmed databases based on these descriptors: user embracement; professionalfamily relations; professionalpatient relations; humanization of the care; and the bonding word associated to the Single Health System descriptor. Two hundred and ninety studies, published from 1990 to 2010, were selected. Through thematic analyses, five meaning cores were created: the relevance of the confidence in the professionaluser relationship; feelings and senses in the health care practice; the importance of communications in health care services; ways to organize health care practices and (de)colonialism. It was found that relationships established in health care practices have a transformative dimension. However, the challenge to humanize health care services remains. Nursing stands out in the production of knowledge on such theme