Yman V, et al. - Given that antibodies against merozoite antigens (AMA-1, MSP-119, MSP-2, MSP-3, and RH5) are key components of malaria immunity, researchers examined the kinetics of the total IgG, and IgG subclass-specific, antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum schizont extract and eight recombinant vaccine candidate antigens after a naturally acquired infection in travellers followed prospectively after treatment in Sweden. Using mathematical modelling, they concluded that after primary malaria infection, the short-lived nature of the naturally acquired antibody response to all tested merozoite antigens can be attributed to a combination of a poor acquisition and short half-life of long-lived antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). Findings suggested that higher longevity is acquired with repeated infections and can be explained by the maintenance of larger numbers of long-lived ASCs. These insights help to understand the naturally acquired immunity to malaria and guide strategies for the further development of both vaccines and serological tools for monitoring exposure.