Using green fluorescent malaria parasites to screen for permissive vector mosquitoes

Area of Science:

• Vector biology
• Parasitology
• Malaria research

Background:

• Rodent malaria models (Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium yoelii) are crucial for studying host-parasite interactions.
• Mosquito vector susceptibility varies among Plasmodium species and Anopheles vectors.
• Anopheles albimanus, a South American vector, was previously thought to be resistant to P. berghei.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the susceptibility of Anopheles albimanus to Plasmodium berghei infection.
• To develop a rapid screening method for identifying susceptible mosquito vectors using fluorescent parasites.
• To establish a new laboratory model for malaria research in regions where importing standard vectors is restricted.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Plasmodium berghei lines engineered to express green fluorescent protein (GFP).
• Screened live mosquitoes for GFP signal in the abdomen to detect infection.
• Employed time-lapse microscopy to observe sporozoite behavior in hemolymph and salivary glands.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that Plasmodium berghei can infect Anopheles albimanus, with detectable fluorescent oocysts.
• Observed P. berghei sporozoites migrating through hemolymph and invading salivary glands of A. albimanus.
• Confirmed that P. berghei infecting A. albimanus are infectious to mice upon subcutaneous injection.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescent Plasmodium parasites offer a rapid and effective method for screening mosquito susceptibility.
• This research establishes Anopheles albimanus as a viable laboratory model for P. berghei studies.
• The findings facilitate malaria research in new geographical locations by enabling the use of locally available vectors.