Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
07:16
In Vivo Assessment of Rodent Plasmodium Parasitemia and Merozoite Invasion by Flow Cytometry
Published on: April 5, 2015
Is invasion efficiency in malaria controlled by pre-invasion events?
Virgilio L Lew1, Teresa Tiffert
1Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Physiological Laboratory, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK. vll1@cam.ac.uk
Trends in Parasitology
|September 7, 2007
Summary
The invasion efficiency of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites decreases with red blood cell density. A pre-invasion stage, possibly involving calcium, explains this
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion efficiency decreases with increasing red blood cell density.
- The underlying mechanism for this 'density effect' is not well understood.
- Understanding this mechanism is crucial for developing effective malaria protection strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism behind the 'density effect' on Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion.
- To identify key factors and stages influencing merozoite invasion efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of video recordings capturing dynamic events during merozoite invasion.
- Focus on the pre-invasion stage and its role in invasion efficiency.
Main Results:
- A pre-invasion stage was identified as a critical mediator of invasion efficiency.
- This stage appears to induce apical alignment of the merozoite.
Conclusions:
- The pre-invasion stage is crucial for regulating merozoite invasion efficiency.
- A working hypothesis suggests elevated intracellular calcium (Ca2+) plays a key role in the pre-invasion mechanism.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Malaria
Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
00:58Symbiosis
Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...
01:22Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...