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Gozalo AS, Robinson CK, Holdridge J, Mahecha OFL, Elkins WR. Overview of Plasmodium spp. and Animal Models in Malaria Research. Comp Med 2024; 74:205-230. [PMID: 38902006 PMCID: PMC11373680 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-24-000019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan species of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by female mosquitos of the genus Anopheles and other Culicidae. Most of the parasites of the genus Plasmodium are highly species specific with more than 200 species described affecting different species of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Plasmodium species strictly affecting humans are P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. More recently, P. knowlesi and other nonhuman primate plasmodia were found to naturally infect humans. Currently, malaria occurs mostly in poor tropical and subtropical areas of the world, and in many of these countries it is the leading cause of illness and death. For more than 100 y, animal models, have played a major role in our understanding of malaria biology. Avian Plasmodium species were the first to be used as models to study human malaria. Malaria parasite biology and immunity were first studied using mainly P. gallinaceum and P. relictum. Rodent malarias, particularly P. berghei and P. yoelii, have been used extensively as models to study malaria in mammals. Several species of Plasmodium from nonhuman primates have been used as surrogate models to study human malaria immunology, pathogenesis, candidate vaccines, and treatments. Plasmodium cynomolgi, P. simiovale, and P. fieldi are important models for studying malaria produced by P. vivax and P. ovale, while P. coatneyi is used as a model for study- ing severe malaria. Other nonhuman primate malarias used in research are P. fragile, P. inui, P. knowlesi, P. simium, and P. brasilianum. Very few nonhuman primate species can develop an infection with human malarias. Macaques in general are resistant to infection with P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale. Only apes and a few species of New World monkeys can support infection with human malarias. Herein we review the most common, and some less common, avian, reptile, and mammal plasmodia species used as models to study human malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso S Gozalo
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Christen K Robinson
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Julie Holdridge
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Olga Franco L Mahecha
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William R Elkins
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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Anstey NM, Tham WH, Shanks GD, Poespoprodjo JR, Russell BM, Kho S. The biology and pathogenesis of vivax malaria. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:573-590. [PMID: 38749866 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax contributes significantly to global malaria morbidity. Key advances include the discovery of pathways facilitating invasion by P. vivax merozoites of nascent reticulocytes, crucial for vaccine development. Humanized mouse models and hepatocyte culture systems have enhanced understanding of hypnozoite biology. The spleen has emerged as a major reservoir for asexual vivax parasites, replicating in an endosplenic life cycle, and contributing to recurrent and chronic infections, systemic inflammation, and anemia. Splenic accumulation of uninfected red cells is the predominant cause of anemia. Recurring and chronic infections cause progressive anemia, malnutrition, and death in young children in high-transmission regions. Endothelial activation likely contributes to vivax-associated organ dysfunction. The many recent advances in vivax pathobiology should help guide new approaches to prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Anstey
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - G Dennis Shanks
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jeanne R Poespoprodjo
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Centre for Child Health and Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Timika Malaria Research Facility, Papuan Health and Community Development Foundation, Timika, Central Papua, Indonesia; Mimika District Hospital and District Health Authority, Timika, Central Papua, Indonesia
| | - Bruce M Russell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Steven Kho
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Timika Malaria Research Facility, Papuan Health and Community Development Foundation, Timika, Central Papua, Indonesia
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3
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Peterson MS, Joyner CJ, Lapp SA, Brady JA, Wood JS, Cabrera-Mora M, Saney CL, Fonseca LL, Cheng WT, Jiang J, Soderberg SR, Nural MV, Hankus A, Machiah D, Karpuzoglu E, DeBarry JD, Tirouvanziam R, Kissinger JC, Moreno A, Gumber S, Voit EO, Gutierrez JB, Cordy RJ, Galinski MR. Plasmodium knowlesi Cytoadhesion Involves SICA Variant Proteins. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:888496. [PMID: 35811680 PMCID: PMC9260704 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.888496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium knowlesi poses a health threat throughout Southeast Asian communities and currently causes most cases of malaria in Malaysia. This zoonotic parasite species has been studied in Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkeys) as a model for severe malarial infections, chronicity, and antigenic variation. The phenomenon of Plasmodium antigenic variation was first recognized during rhesus monkey infections. Plasmodium-encoded variant proteins were first discovered in this species and found to be expressed at the surface of infected erythrocytes, and then named the Schizont-Infected Cell Agglutination (SICA) antigens. SICA expression was shown to be spleen dependent, as SICA expression is lost after P. knowlesi is passaged in splenectomized rhesus. Here we present data from longitudinal P. knowlesi infections in rhesus with the most comprehensive analysis to date of clinical parameters and infected red blood cell sequestration in the vasculature of tissues from 22 organs. Based on the histopathological analysis of 22 tissue types from 11 rhesus monkeys, we show a comparative distribution of parasitized erythrocytes and the degree of margination of the infected erythrocytes with the endothelium. Interestingly, there was a significantly higher burden of parasites in the gastrointestinal tissues, and extensive margination of the parasites along the endothelium, which may help explain gastrointestinal symptoms frequently reported by patients with P. knowlesi malarial infections. Moreover, this margination was not observed in splenectomized rhesus that were infected with parasites not expressing the SICA proteins. This work provides data that directly supports the view that a subpopulation of P. knowlesi parasites cytoadheres and sequesters, likely via SICA variant antigens acting as ligands. This process is akin to the cytoadhesive function of the related variant antigen proteins, namely Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1, expressed by Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko S. Peterson
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chester J. Joyner
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Stacey A. Lapp
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica A. Brady
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Wood
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Monica Cabrera-Mora
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Celia L. Saney
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Luis L. Fonseca
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Wayne T. Cheng
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jianlin Jiang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie R. Soderberg
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mustafa V. Nural
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Allison Hankus
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Deepa Machiah
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ebru Karpuzoglu
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jeremy D. DeBarry
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Rabindra Tirouvanziam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eberhard O. Voit
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Juan B. Gutierrez
- Department of Mathematics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Regina Joice Cordy
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mary R. Galinski
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Nguee SYT, Júnior JWBD, Epiphanio S, Rénia L, Claser C. Experimental Models to Study the Pathogenesis of Malaria-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:899581. [PMID: 35677654 PMCID: PMC9168995 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.899581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (MA-ARDS) is increasingly gaining recognition as a severe malaria complication because of poor prognostic outcomes, high lethality rate, and limited therapeutic interventions. Unfortunately, invasive clinical studies are challenging to conduct and yields insufficient mechanistic insights. These limitations have led to the development of suitable MA-ARDS experimental mouse models. In patients and mice, MA-ARDS is characterized by edematous lung, along with marked infiltration of inflammatory cells and damage of the alveolar-capillary barriers. Although, the pathogenic pathways have yet to be fully understood, the use of different experimental mouse models is fundamental in the identification of mediators of pulmonary vascular damage. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on endothelial activation, leukocyte recruitment, leukocyte induced-endothelial dysfunction, and other important findings, to better understand the pathogenesis pathways leading to endothelial pulmonary barrier lesions and increased vascular permeability. We also discuss how the advances in imaging techniques can contribute to a better understanding of the lung lesions induced during MA-ARDS, and how it could aid to monitor MA-ARDS severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Yee Teng Nguee
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Sabrina Epiphanio
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laurent Rénia
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Carla Claser
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Carla Claser,
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Peterson MS, Joyner CJ, Brady JA, Wood JS, Cabrera-Mora M, Saney CL, Fonseca LL, Cheng WT, Jiang J, Lapp SA, Soderberg SR, Nural MV, Humphrey JC, Hankus A, Machiah D, Karpuzoglu E, DeBarry JD, Tirouvanziam R, Kissinger JC, Moreno A, Gumber S, Voit EO, Gutiérrez JB, Cordy RJ, Galinski MR. Clinical recovery of Macaca fascicularis infected with Plasmodium knowlesi. Malar J 2021; 20:486. [PMID: 34969401 PMCID: PMC8719393 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03925-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kra monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), a natural host of Plasmodium knowlesi, control parasitaemia caused by this parasite species and escape death without treatment. Knowledge of the disease progression and resilience in kra monkeys will aid the effective use of this species to study mechanisms of resilience to malaria. This longitudinal study aimed to define clinical, physiological and pathological changes in kra monkeys infected with P. knowlesi, which could explain their resilient phenotype. METHODS Kra monkeys (n = 15, male, young adults) were infected intravenously with cryopreserved P. knowlesi sporozoites and the resulting parasitaemias were monitored daily. Complete blood counts, reticulocyte counts, blood chemistry and physiological telemetry data (n = 7) were acquired as described prior to infection to establish baseline values and then daily after inoculation for up to 50 days. Bone marrow aspirates, plasma samples, and 22 tissue samples were collected at specific time points to evaluate longitudinal clinical, physiological and pathological effects of P. knowlesi infections during acute and chronic infections. RESULTS As expected, the kra monkeys controlled acute infections and remained with low-level, persistent parasitaemias without anti-malarial intervention. Unexpectedly, early in the infection, fevers developed, which ultimately returned to baseline, as well as mild to moderate thrombocytopenia, and moderate to severe anaemia. Mathematical modelling and the reticulocyte production index indicated that the anaemia was largely due to the removal of uninfected erythrocytes and not impaired production of erythrocytes. Mild tissue damage was observed, and tissue parasite load was associated with tissue damage even though parasite accumulation in the tissues was generally low. CONCLUSIONS Kra monkeys experimentally infected with P. knowlesi sporozoites presented with multiple clinical signs of malaria that varied in severity among individuals. Overall, the animals shared common mechanisms of resilience characterized by controlling parasitaemia 3-5 days after patency, and controlling fever, coupled with physiological and bone marrow responses to compensate for anaemia. Together, these responses likely minimized tissue damage while supporting the establishment of chronic infections, which may be important for transmission in natural endemic settings. These results provide new foundational insights into malaria pathogenesis and resilience in kra monkeys, which may improve understanding of human infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko S Peterson
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chester J Joyner
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jessica A Brady
- School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jennifer S Wood
- Division of Animal Resources, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Monica Cabrera-Mora
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Celia L Saney
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Luis L Fonseca
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wayne T Cheng
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jianlin Jiang
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stacey A Lapp
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stephanie R Soderberg
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mustafa V Nural
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jay C Humphrey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Allison Hankus
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- The MITRE Corporation, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deepa Machiah
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ebru Karpuzoglu
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jeremy D DeBarry
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Topical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Jessica C Kissinger
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Pathology, Drug Safety, and DMPK, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc., Athens, GA, USA
| | - Eberhard O Voit
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Juan B Gutiérrez
- Department of Mathematics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Mathematics, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Regina Joice Cordy
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mary R Galinski
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Markus MB. Safety and Efficacy of Tafenoquine for Plasmodium vivax Malaria Prophylaxis and Radical Cure: Overview and Perspectives. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2021; 17:989-999. [PMID: 34526770 PMCID: PMC8435617 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s269336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This article is inter alia a brief, first-stop guide to possible adverse events (AEs) associated with tafenoquine (TQ) intake. Safety and efficacy findings for TQ in Plasmodium vivax malaria prophylaxis and radical cure are summarized and some of the latest TQ-related studies (published in 2020 and 2021) are highlighted. In addition, little-known biological and other matters concerning malaria parasites and 8-aminoquinoline (8-AQ) drug action are discussed and some correct terminology pertinent to malaria is explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles B Markus
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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7
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Pasini EM, Kocken CHM. Parasite-Host Interaction and Pathophysiology Studies of the Human Relapsing Malarias Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale Infections in Non-Human Primates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:614122. [PMID: 33680982 PMCID: PMC7925837 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.614122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a serious health concern across the globe. Historically neglected, non-Falciparum human malarias were put back on the agenda by a paradigm shift in the fight against malaria from malaria control to malaria eradication. Here, we review the modeling of the relapsing parasites Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) and Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) in non-human primates with a specific focus on the contribution of these models to our current understanding of the factors that govern parasite-host interactions in P. vivax and P. ovale parasite biology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M Pasini
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Center, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Clemens H M Kocken
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Center, Rijswijk, Netherlands
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8
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Kepple D, Pestana K, Tomida J, Abebe A, Golassa L, Lo E. Alternative Invasion Mechanisms and Host Immune Response to Plasmodium vivax Malaria: Trends and Future Directions. Microorganisms 2020; 9:E15. [PMID: 33374596 PMCID: PMC7822457 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax malaria is a neglected tropical disease, despite being more geographically widespread than any other form of malaria. The documentation of P. vivax infections in different parts of Africa where Duffy-negative individuals are predominant suggested that there are alternative pathways for P. vivax to invade human erythrocytes. Duffy-negative individuals may be just as fit as Duffy-positive individuals and are no longer resistant to P.vivax malaria. In this review, we describe the complexity of P. vivax malaria, characterize pathogenesis and candidate invasion genes of P. vivax, and host immune responses to P. vivax infections. We provide a comprehensive review on parasite ligands in several Plasmodium species that further justify candidate genes in P. vivax. We also summarize previous genomic and transcriptomic studies related to the identification of ligand and receptor proteins in P. vivax erythrocyte invasion. Finally, we identify topics that remain unclear and propose future studies that will greatly contribute to our knowledge of P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kepple
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Kareen Pestana
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Junya Tomida
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
| | - Abnet Abebe
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia;
| | - Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia;
| | - Eugenia Lo
- Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (K.P.); (J.T.)
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9
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Plasma-derived extracellular vesicles from Plasmodium vivax patients signal spleen fibroblasts via NF-kB facilitating parasite cytoadherence. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2761. [PMID: 32487994 PMCID: PMC7265481 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16337-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax is the most widely distributed human malaria parasite. Previous studies have shown that circulating microparticles during P. vivax acute attacks are indirectly associated with severity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are therefore major components of circulating plasma holding insights into pathological processes. Here, we demonstrate that plasma-derived EVs from Plasmodium vivax patients (PvEVs) are preferentially uptaken by human spleen fibroblasts (hSFs) as compared to the uptake of EVs from healthy individuals. Moreover, this uptake induces specific upregulation of ICAM-1 associated with the translocation of NF-kB to the nucleus. After this uptake, P. vivax-infected reticulocytes obtained from patients show specific adhesion properties to hSFs, reversed by inhibiting NF-kB translocation to the nucleus. Together, these data provide physiological EV-based insights into the mechanisms of human malaria pathology and support the existence of P. vivax-adherent parasite subpopulations in the microvasculature of the human spleen. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma can affect pathogenesis of parasites, but details remain unclear. Here, Toda et al. characterize plasma-derived EVs from Plasmodium vivax patients and show that PvEVs are preferentially taken up by human spleen fibroblasts, facilitating parasite cytoadherence.
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Plasmodium vivax spleen-dependent genes encode antigens associated with cytoadhesion and clinical protection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:13056-13065. [PMID: 32439708 PMCID: PMC7293605 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1920596117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of low peripheral blood parasitemia, vivax malaria causes severe disease. This conundrum finds an explanation from reports suggesting that the spleen is a place for parasite sequestration. We performed a global transcriptional analysis of parasites that grew in the presence or absence of the spleen in a nonhuman primate model. We identified 67 spleen-dependent genes, including multigene variant families, and functionally demonstrated specific adherence to human spleen fibroblasts by a member of such families. Moreover, we further demonstrated that spleen-dependent Plasmodium vivax genes code for immunogenic proteins during natural infections. Our results indicate that this organ plays an important function in P. vivax malaria and call for deeper studies of the role of spleen in P. vivax infections. Plasmodium vivax, the most widely distributed human malaria parasite, causes severe clinical syndromes despite low peripheral blood parasitemia. This conundrum is further complicated as cytoadherence in the microvasculature is still a matter of investigations. Previous reports in Plasmodium knowlesi, another parasite species shown to infect humans, demonstrated that variant genes involved in cytoadherence were dependent on the spleen for their expression. Hence, using a global transcriptional analysis of parasites obtained from spleen-intact and splenectomized monkeys, we identified 67 P. vivax genes whose expression was spleen dependent. To determine their role in cytoadherence, two Plasmodium falciparum transgenic lines expressing two variant proteins pertaining to VIR and Pv-FAM-D multigene families were used. Cytoadherence assays demonstrated specific binding to human spleen but not lung fibroblasts of the transgenic line expressing the VIR14 protein. To gain more insights, we expressed five P. vivax spleen-dependent genes as recombinant proteins, including members of three different multigene families (VIR, Pv-FAM-A, Pv-FAM-D), one membrane transporter (SECY), and one hypothetical protein (HYP1), and determined their immunogenicity and association with clinical protection in a prospective study of 383 children in Papua New Guinea. Results demonstrated that spleen-dependent antigens are immunogenic in natural infections and that antibodies to HYP1 are associated with clinical protection. These results suggest that the spleen plays a major role in expression of parasite proteins involved in cytoadherence and can reveal antigens associated with clinical protection, thus prompting a paradigm shift in P. vivax biology toward deeper studies of the spleen during infections.
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Galinski MR. Functional genomics of simian malaria parasites and host-parasite interactions. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 18:270-280. [PMID: 31241151 PMCID: PMC6859816 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Two simian malaria parasite species, Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium cynomolgi, cause zoonotic infections in Southeast Asia, and they have therefore gained recognition among scientists and public health officials. Notwithstanding, these species and others including Plasmodium coatneyi have served for decades as sources of knowledge on the biology, genetics and evolution of Plasmodium, and the diverse ramifications and outcomes of malaria in their monkey hosts. Experimental analysis of these species can help to fill gaps in knowledge beyond what may be possible studying the human malaria parasites or rodent parasite species. The genome sequences for these simian malaria parasite species were reported during the last decade, and functional genomics research has since been pursued. Here research on the functional genomics analysis involving these species is summarized and their importance is stressed, particularly for understanding host–parasite interactions, and potentially testing novel interventions. Importantly, while Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax can be studied in small New World monkeys, the simian malaria parasites can be studied more effectively in the larger Old World monkey macaque hosts, which are more closely related to humans. In addition to ex vivo analyses, experimental scenarios can include passage through Anopheline mosquito hosts and longitudinal infections in monkeys to study acute and chronic infections, as well as relapses, all in the context of the in vivo host environment. Such experiments provide opportunities for understanding functional genomic elements that govern host–parasite interactions, immunity and pathogenesis in-depth, addressing hypotheses not possible from in vitro cultures or cross-sectional clinical studies with humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Galinski
- Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Silva-Filho JL, Lacerda MVG, Recker M, Wassmer SC, Marti M, Costa FTM. Plasmodium vivax in Hematopoietic Niches: Hidden and Dangerous. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:447-458. [PMID: 32298632 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Estimation of Plasmodium vivax biomass based on circulating biomarkers indicates the existence of a predominant biomass outside of the circulation that is not captured by peripheral parasitemia, in particular in patients with complicated outcomes. A series of recent studies have suggested that the hematopoietic niche of the bone marrow (BM) is a major reservoir for parasite replication and the development of transmission stages. However, significant knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of host-parasite interactions, pathophysiology, and the implications for treatment and diagnosis of such a reservoir. Here, we discuss the current status of this emerging research field in the context of P. vivax.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luiz Silva-Filho
- Laboratório de Doenças Tropicais - Prof Luiz Jacintho da Silva Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil; Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Marcus V G Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil; Instituto Leônidas and Maria Deane, Fiocruz Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil
| | - Mario Recker
- Centre for Mathematics and the Environment, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, UK
| | - Samuel C Wassmer
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Center for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Fabio T M Costa
- Laboratório de Doenças Tropicais - Prof Luiz Jacintho da Silva Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
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