Plasmodium development in Anopheles: a tale of shared resources

Trends Parasitol. 2021 Sep 18:S1471-4922(21)00207-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.08.009. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTInteractions between the Anopheles mosquito vector and Plasmodium parasites shape how malaria is transmitted in endemic regions. The long association of these two organisms has led to evolutionary processes that minimize fitness costs of infection and benefit both players through shared nutrient resources, parasite immune suppression, and mosquito tolerance to infection. In this review we explore recent data describing how Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, associates with one of its most important natural mosquito hosts, Anopheles gambiae, and we discuss the implications of these findings for parasite transmission and vector control strategies currently in development.PMID:34548252 | DOI:10.1016/j.pt.2021.08.009
Source: Trends in Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Source Type: research