Related Experiment Videos
Infection of mosquitoes with Plasmodium vivax from chimpanzees using membrane feeding
Abstract:
Six splenectomized chimpanzees were infected with the Chesson or the North Korean strains of Plasmodium vivax. Heparinized blood taken from the animals was fed to approximately 45,000 mosquitoes using parafilm membranes. High-level mosquito infections were obtained with the blood from 4 animals. One animal infected mosquitoes only at a very low level. The other chimpanzee failed to produce a parasitemia high enough to warrant mosquito feeding.
Insights
Splenectomized chimpanzees infected with Plasmodium vivax strains showed varying levels of parasitemia, impacting mosquito infectivity. This study highlights the variability in Plasmodium vivax transmission potential in experimental settings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Primate Models
Background:
- Plasmodium vivax is a significant cause of malaria globally.
- Understanding Plasmodium vivax transmission dynamics is crucial for malaria control.
- Chimpanzees serve as valuable models for studying Plasmodium species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the infectivity of Plasmodium vivax strains in splenectomized chimpanzees.
- To evaluate the efficiency of mosquito infection using blood from experimentally infected chimpanzees.
Main Methods:
- Six splenectomized chimpanzees were infected with either the Chesson or North Korean strains of Plasmodium vivax.
- Heparinized blood from infected chimpanzees was used to feed approximately 45,000 mosquitoes via parafilm membranes.
Main Results:
- High-level Plasmodium vivax infections in mosquitoes were achieved using blood from four of the six chimpanzees.
- One chimpanzee exhibited very low-level mosquito infectivity.
- One chimpanzee did not develop sufficient parasitemia for mosquito feeding.
Conclusions:
- Splenectomy in chimpanzees can lead to variable Plasmodium vivax parasitemia.
- The infectivity of Plasmodium vivax to mosquitoes is dependent on the host's parasitemia level.
- This model demonstrates the potential for Plasmodium vivax transmission but highlights inter-animal variability.