2.9. Transmission-Blocking Assays

The functional cross-reactivity of human anti-Pvs48/45-specific IgG against P. falciparum parasites was evaluated by SMFA, as described previously [^{43, 48, 76}]. Briefly, 163 μg/mL of the test IgG was mixed with 0.15% - 0.2% stage V gametocytemia of P. falciparum NF54 strain and then fed to 3–6 day/old female Anopheles stephensi in the presence of human complement. The mosquitoes (N=20 per sample) were maintained for 8 days and dissected to count the number of oocysts in each midgut. A group of mosquitoes (N=40 per sample) were fed with normal human or normal mouse Protein-G purified antibodies and was uses as a negative control.