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The Nigerian I/CDC strain of Plasmodium ovale in chimpanzees
C L Morris1, J S Sullivan, H M McClure
1National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
Abstract:
The chimpanzee is the only animal host currently available that can support the development of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium ovale. Thirty-one infections with the Nigerian I/CDC strain were induced in splenectomized chimpanzees. Maximum parasite counts ranged from 1,240 to 127,224/microliters. Infections were transient and unpredictable. Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles freeborni, and Anopheles dirus mosquitoes were infected by feeding through parafilm membranes on heparinized blood containing gametocytes; each species supported development to sporozoites in the salivary glands. Mean oocyst counts per infected mosquito ranged from 1 to 85.1; 21.7% of infected lots of mosquitoes averaged > 20 oocysts per positive mosquito gut. One infection was induced via the bites of infected An. gambiae. The prepatent period was 16 days.
Insights
Chimpanzees can host the human malaria parasite Plasmodium ovale, but infections are unpredictable. Mosquitoes like Anopheles gambiae successfully transmitted the parasite, supporting further malaria research.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primatology
Background:
- The chimpanzee is the sole animal model capable of supporting Plasmodium ovale development.
- Understanding Plasmodium ovale transmission is crucial for malaria control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of chimpanzees to Plasmodium ovale infections.
- To assess the ability of various mosquito species to act as vectors for Plasmodium ovale.
Main Methods:
- Inducing infections with the Nigerian I/CDC strain of Plasmodium ovale in splenectomized chimpanzees.
- Infecting Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles freeborni, and Anopheles dirus mosquitoes with gametocyte-containing blood via parafilm membranes.
- Confirming sporozoite development in mosquito salivary glands and inducing infection through mosquito bites.
Main Results:
- Splenectomized chimpanzees supported transient and unpredictable Plasmodium ovale infections, with parasite counts varying widely.
- All tested Anopheles mosquito species supported Plasmodium ovale development to the sporozoite stage.
- A 16-day prepatent period was observed in one infection induced by infected Anopheles gambiae bites.
Conclusions:
- Chimpanzees serve as a viable, albeit unpredictable, animal model for studying Plasmodium ovale.
- Multiple Anopheles mosquito species can effectively transmit Plasmodium ovale, highlighting their role in the parasite's life cycle.