Experts say an injection of a long lasting antibody could help prevent malaria infection. 

In a recent study, the antibody known as L9LS was given to 17 healthy adults who were then deliberately exposed to malaria. 

Of the 17 who received the antibody, 15 remained protected from malaria and only 2 were infected, while all 6 people in a control group became infected. 

L9LS targets CSP-1, a major protein of the sporozoite (the form of the parasite the mosquitoes inject when they bite). The trial found that participants who received the higher doses of L9LS had complete protection against malaria infection.

Although the trial was small, the implications could be important. 

It is already established that the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine has an efficacy of 32 to 39 per cent over 4 years of follow-up. 

Researchers say that if they could layer in a subcutaneous injection such as L9LS, it should be possible to further drive down malaria infection rates.

The study is accessible here, along with two editorials on the findings and implications, accessible here and here.