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Malaria Eradication and the Hidden Parasite Reservoir
1School of Animal, Plant, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Trends in Parasitology
|April 4, 2017
Summary
Plasmodium vivax malaria parasites accumulate in the bone marrow and spleen. These parasite stages may cause early, relapse-like recurrences and impede malaria elimination efforts.
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Erythrocytic parasite accumulation in bone marrow and spleen is observed in Plasmodium vivax malaria.
- These sequestered parasite stages may play a role in malaria recurrence patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of sequestered erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium vivax in relapse-like recurrences.
- To assess the implications of these parasite reservoirs for malaria elimination strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Plasmodium vivax sequestration.
- Analysis of clinical data related to malaria recurrence patterns.
- Hypothetical modeling of parasite reservoirs and transmission dynamics.
Main Results:
- Accumulation of Plasmodium vivax erythrocytic stages in bone marrow and spleen is a documented phenomenon.
- These sequestered stages represent a potential source for early, homologous recurrences, mimicking relapses.
- The presence of these parasite reservoirs could significantly challenge efforts to eliminate malaria from endemic populations.
Conclusions:
- The sequestration of Plasmodium vivax parasites in the bone marrow and spleen is a critical factor to consider in understanding malaria epidemiology.
- Targeting these sequestered stages may be necessary for effective malaria control and elimination.
- Further research into the dynamics and clinical significance of these parasite reservoirs is warranted.