The temporal dynamics of Plasmodium density through the sporogonic cycle within Anopheles mosquitoes

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Dec;103(12):1197-8. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.03.009. Epub 2009 Apr 5.

Abstract

The impact of parasite density on malaria transmission remains unclear. We investigated sporogony temporal dynamics and the effect of parasite density on these dynamics. A series of experiments was conducted in which cages of mosquitoes were fed on blood containing a range of ookinete densities. Samples of surviving mosquitoes were dissected over time post-feeding to count oocyst and sporozoite numbers. Results reveal a humped (convex) pattern of oocyst numbers and suggest that transition rates between sporogony stages are density dependent. This has implications for the design of parasite-mosquito interface studies and the development of transmission-blocking strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anopheles / parasitology*
  • Life Cycle Stages / physiology
  • Malaria / transmission*
  • Oocysts / growth & development*
  • Plasmodium vivax / growth & development*
  • Population Dynamics