Antigenic variation in plasmodium falciparum: gene organization and regulation of the var multigene family

Plasmodium falciparum imposes an enormous burden upon the developing world, with 300 to 500 million cases and 1 to 2 million deaths per year (94). Despite extensive  ffective vaccine is still lacking. Individuals living in areas of high P. falciparum  nfection may never develop, but significant antidisease immunity is acquired relatively rapidly. While the protective targets of antidisease immunity are largely unknown, the parasite variant antigens exposed at the erythrocyte surface are considered strong candidates.