Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
08:46
Myeloid Cell Isolation from Mouse Skin and Draining Lymph Node Following Intradermal Immunization with Live Attenuated Plasmodium Sporozoites
Published on: May 18, 2016
Malaria's deadly secret: a skin stage
D Lys Guilbride1, Patrick D L Guilbride, Pawel Gawlinski
1The Malaria Research Foundation, P.O. Box 10420, Aspen, Pitkin County, CO 81612, USA. lys@malariaresearchfoundation.com
Trends in Parasitology
|February 4, 2012
Summary
Malaria parasites in the skin rapidly suppress immunity, explaining reinfection susceptibility. This skin stage critically impacts vaccine effectiveness and malaria eradication efforts.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- The skin's role in malaria infection has been historically underestimated.
- Emerging evidence points to the skin as a critical site for early immune evasion by malaria parasites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of skin-infecting malaria sporozoites.
- To elucidate the impact of the skin stage on host susceptibility and vaccine efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent immunological studies on skin-parasite interactions.
- Corroboration with data from malaria vaccine trials.
- Integration of findings on parasite development within host skin.
Main Results:
- Skin-infecting sporozoites induce rapid immunosuppression, establishing tolerance.
- This skin-initiated immune suppression explains reinfection susceptibility, independent of blood-stage effects.
- Vaccine failures in endemic areas correlate with skin-stage parasite presence and bite exposure.
Conclusions:
- Natural malaria infection involves a potent, immunosubversive skin stage.
- This skin stage significantly compromises vaccine function.
- Understanding the skin stage is vital for developing effective malaria eradication strategies.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:27Diversity 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...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...