25 million pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa run the risk if contracting malaria each year. Those who become infected with malaria parasites during their first pregnancy are at considerable risk of severe anaemia and significant foetal growth impairment. Maternal malaria is the cause of death of between 100,000 and 200,000 newborn babies and 10,000 women each year.
Women in Africa may have hope. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have become the first in the world to synthesize the protein that is responsible for life-threatening malaria in pregnant women and unborn children. The protein, VAR2CSA allows malaria parasites to accumulate in the placenta and can be used as the main ingredient in a vaccine to trigger antibodies to protect pregnant women against malaria. The research team is planning to test the efficacy of the protein-based vaccine on humans.
The goal is to have all African girls to be vaccinated against maternal malaria within 10 years.
The Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen is an international leader in malaria research. The center has more than 70 employees and is one of the largest malaria research units in the world and is a leader in the development of vaccines. The centre’s work is partly funded by Danish and international foundations, including the Gates Foundation.
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