Spotlight on Plasmodium falciparum evolutionary system in the southeastern Atlantic forest

Abstract

LAPORTA, GZ. Spotlight on Plasmodium falciparum evolutionary system in the southeastern Atlantic forest. Biota Neotropica. 17(3): e20160314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611- BN-2016-0314 Abstract: Malaria elimination is now set to occur in Brazil until 2030. While this achievement is feasible, as it is for other endemic regions worldwide, it is important to recognize resistance of parasites and vectors against anti-malarial interventions. Resistance against drugs and insecticides can lead to discontinuities of malaria transmission, known as residual malaria transmission. Herein, we described a novel phenomenon that is occurring in a residual malaria transmission scenario in the southeastern Atlantic forest. This novel phenomenon does not belong to what is known and therefore we decided to explain it based on an evolutionary perspective. Although it shall not be viewed as a threat to public health, the phenomenon has important aspects that should be highlighted. Specifically, it represents an adaptation of P. falciparum among vectors and hosts in the southeastern Atlantic forest. Knowledge about this phenomenon could be of importance, including to the on-going malaria elimination programs. Keywords: Anopheles, Biological Evolution, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Rainforest. Destaque para o sistema evolutivo de Plasmodium falciparum no sudeste da Mata AtlânticaResumo: A eliminação da malária pode ocorrer no Brasil antes de 2030. Embora seja viável no Brasil e em outras regiões endêmicas do mundo, reconhece-se a importância da resistência de parasitos e vetores às intervenções. A resistência contra drogas e inseticidas pode levar à malária residual. Aqui, descrevemos um novo fenômeno que está ocorrendo em um cenário residual de transmissão de malária no sudeste da Mata Atlântica. Esse fenômeno não faz parte do conhecimento atual e, portanto, propomos uma perspectiva evolutiva para explicá-lo. Não sugerimos uma nova ameaça à saúde pública; entretanto, ressaltam-se aspectos importantes sobre o fenômeno. Especificamente, o fenômeno representa uma adaptação de P. falciparum entre vetores e hospedeiros no sudeste da Mata Atlântica. O conhecimento sobre essa adaptação pode ser importante para os programas de eliminação da malária em andamento.

Complexity of malaria transmission dynamics in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…The main working hypothesis tested here is that the most threatening human malaria parasite ( P . falciparum ) has a transmission cycle involving non-human primates in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest ( Duarte et al., 2008 ; Laporta et al., 2015 ; Laporta, 2017 ; Assis et al., 2021 ). We tested this hypothesis using field-collected anopheline and simian blood samples in an environmental protection area ( Medeiros-Sousa et al., 2019 ).…”

Amazonian rainforest loss and declining malaria burden in Brazil

“…In these conditions, they can transmit plasmodia to humans in central Africa (Anopheles nili), southeast Asia (Anopheles dirus), the western Pacific region (Anopheles balabacensis, Anopheles donaldi, Anopheles flavirostris, and Anopheles leucosphyrus), 2 or the Atlantic forest of Brazil (Anopheles cruzii). 3 This phenomenon, recognised as forested malaria, has a negative correlation with deforestation. 2 On one hand, when deforestation occurrs in forested malaria regions, deep-forest vectors decline in abundance and local malaria incidence could decrease.…”