The researchers then vaccinated five groups of mice with the novel antigen to evaluate its effects after the mice were exposed to malaria.

In all groups, the vaccinated mice had lower levels of malaria parasites and survived longer than the unvaccinated mice.

The researchers also measured antibody levels in plasma samples from 453 Tanzanian children from the previous cohort and discovered that no cases of severe malaria occurred during periods when the children had detectable antibodies to PfSEA-1.

Further, they evaluated plasma samples from 138 males aged 12 to 35 living in a malaria-endemic area of Kenya and found that individuals with detectable antibodies to PfSEA-1 had 50 percent lower parasite densities compared to individuals with no detectable antibodies.

Kurtis said that they will conduct additional trials on PfSEA-1, first in another animal model, and then they hope to begin Phase I trials in humans "very soon."

"Our findings support PfSEA-1 as a potential vaccine candidate, " said Kurtis. "We are confident that by partnering with our colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and other researchers focused on vaccines to prevent the parasites from entering red blood cells, we can approach the parasite from all angles, which could help us develop a truly effective vaccine to prevent this infectious disease that kills millions of children every year."