Zoonotic Malaria: Non-Laverania Plasmodium Biology and Invasion Mechanisms

Abstract

Malaria, which is caused by Plasmodium parasites through Anopheles mosquito transmission, remains one of the most life-threatening diseases affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide every year. Plasmodium vivax, which accounts for the majority of cases of recurring malaria caused by the Plasmodium (non-Laverania) subgenus, is an ancient and continuing zoonosis originating from monkey hosts probably outside Africa. The emergence of other zoonotic malarias (P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, and P. simium) further highlights the seriousness of the disease. The severity of this epidemic disease is dependent on many factors, including the parasite characteristics, host-parasite interactions, and the pathology of the infection. Successful infection depends on the ability of the parasite to invade the host; however, little is known about the parasite invasion biology and mechanisms. The lack of this information adds to the challenges to malaria control and elimination, hence enhancing the potential for continuation of this zoonosis. Here, we review the literature describing the characteristics, distribution, and genome details of the parasites, as well as host specificity, host-parasite interactions, and parasite pathology. This information will provide the basis of a greater understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of malaria to support future development of strategies for the control and prevention of this zoonotic infection.

Industrially Compatible Transfusable iPSC-Derived RBCs: Progress, Challenges and Prospective Solutions

“…In the context of malaria, the invasion of Plasmodium species is dependent on the presence of certain blood group antigens, such as the MNS (CD235a and CD235b), Gerbich (CD236), Knops (CD35), Ok (CD147) and Duffy (CD234) blood group systems [ 187 , 188 ]. However, blood group antigens responsible for erythrocytic invasion of most of the Plasmodium species are still not known [ 189 ]. There is also limited information on the blood group antigens for invasion of Babesia [ 190 ], Bartonella [ 191 ] and Toxoplasma species [ 192 ].…”

Why Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are so different? A tale of two clades and their species diversities

“…( P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri ) invade young red blood cells or reticulocytes. In contrast, Plasmodium malariae has been proposed to invade old red blood cells [ 3 , 5 – 7 ]. There are also differences in the time of gametocyte production and their lifespan, which are fundamental fitness components [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Systems biology of malaria explored with nonhuman primates

“…Gaps in knowledge were evaluated, and new research agendas developed to help fill those gaps, including for P. vivax which became recognized as a widespread but important and neglected species [ 161 , 162 ]. These steps led to improved information about the prevalence, morbidity and mortality of both most predominant human malaria species, P. falciparum [ 163 ] and P. vivax [ 164 , 165 ], as well as public recognition that global eradication will also require the elimination of the lesser prevalent human malaria species P. malariae and P. ovale , as well as simian malaria zoonotic species (reviewed in [ 89 , 117 , 118 , 166 , 167 ]). Three of these zoonotic species in particular, P. cynomolgi, P. knowlesi , and P. coatneyi , have been critical for studying malaria in vivo with NHP infections (reviewed in [ 92 , 94 , 95 , 168 ]).…”