@article{Ogwang:2026:10.1038/s41467-026-72716-x,
author = {Ogwang, R and Nkumama, IN and Mwai, K and Odera, D and Nyamako, L and Fürle, K and Rosenkranz, M and Kimathi, R and Njuguna, P and Sim, BKL and Hamaluba, M and Frank, R and de, Laurent Z and Kariuki, S and Kimani, D and Mohammed, KS and Mosobo, M and Abdi, AI and Omuoyo, D and Otieno, E and Shangala, J and Wambua, J and Musembi, J and Musyoki, J and Muthui, M and Mwacharo, J and Ndungu, F and Ngoi, JM and Makale, J and Ogwang, R and Ngoto, O and Odera, DO and Abebe, Y and Richie, TL and Billingsley, PF and Hoffman, SL and James, ER and Osier, FHA and Marsh, K and Ongecha, J and Bull, PC and Kinyanjui, S and Kivisi, C and Ogutu, B and Olewe, F and Williams, TN and Kapulu, MC and Bejon, P and Tuju, J and Osier, FHA},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-72716-x},
journal = {Nature Communications},
title = {Controlled human malaria infection in adults identify combinations of merozoite antigens associated with clinical immunity},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72716-x},
volume = {17},
year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
AB  - Two vaccines are currently licensed against Plasmodium falciparum malaria but offer only partial protection that wanes, necessitating repeated dosing that is challenging to implement where it is needed most. We previously identified a subset of Kenyan adults with naturally acquired clinical immunity using controlled human malaria infection studies (CHMI, n = 86/142; ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT02739763). Subsequent studies showed that clinical immunity was strongly correlated with IgG Fc-mediated functional activity against whole merozoites. Here, to zoom in on specific targets associated with clinical immunity, we use samples from the CHMI study and a custom protein microarray (KILchip) to measure IgG antibody reactivity against seventy recombinant merozoite antigens. We identify the top-ranking antigens by analyzing the data using five distinct statistical methodologies: the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test, a Cox proportional hazards model, a modified Poisson regression model, and the machine learning Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and random forest models. Antibodies against MSP1, MSP11, RAMA, MSP7, PF3D7_1401600 (PHISTB) and PTEX150 were consistently associated with clinical immunity and in combination predicted complete protection. These findings may be useful to prioritize the next generation of malaria blood stage vaccine candidates.
AU  - Ogwang,R
AU  - Nkumama,IN
AU  - Mwai,K
AU  - Odera,D
AU  - Nyamako,L
AU  - Fürle,K
AU  - Rosenkranz,M
AU  - Kimathi,R
AU  - Njuguna,P
AU  - Sim,BKL
AU  - Hamaluba,M
AU  - Frank,R
AU  - de,Laurent Z
AU  - Kariuki,S
AU  - Kimani,D
AU  - Mohammed,KS
AU  - Mosobo,M
AU  - Abdi,AI
AU  - Omuoyo,D
AU  - Otieno,E
AU  - Shangala,J
AU  - Wambua,J
AU  - Musembi,J
AU  - Musyoki,J
AU  - Muthui,M
AU  - Mwacharo,J
AU  - Ndungu,F
AU  - Ngoi,JM
AU  - Makale,J
AU  - Ogwang,R
AU  - Ngoto,O
AU  - Odera,DO
AU  - Abebe,Y
AU  - Richie,TL
AU  - Billingsley,PF
AU  - Hoffman,SL
AU  - James,ER
AU  - Osier,FHA
AU  - Marsh,K
AU  - Ongecha,J
AU  - Bull,PC
AU  - Kinyanjui,S
AU  - Kivisi,C
AU  - Ogutu,B
AU  - Olewe,F
AU  - Williams,TN
AU  - Kapulu,MC
AU  - Bejon,P
AU  - Tuju,J
AU  - Osier,FHA
DO  - 10.1038/s41467-026-72716-x
PY  - 2026///
SN  - 2041-1723
TI  - Controlled human malaria infection in adults identify combinations of merozoite antigens associated with clinical immunity
T2  - Nature Communications
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72716-x
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72716-x
VL  - 17
ER  - 

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