Infection of laboratory colonies of Anopheles mosquitoes with Plasmodium vivax from cryopreserved clinical isolates

Abstract

Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread malaria parasite. Unique features of transmission biology complicate P. vivax control. Interventions targeting transmission are required for malaria eradication. In the absence of an in vitro culture, transmission studies rely on live isolates from non-human primates or endemic regions. Here, we demonstrate P. vivax gametocytes from both India and Brazil are stable during cryopreservation. Importantly, cryopreserved gametocytes from Brazil were capable of infecting three anopheline mosquito species in feedings done in the United States. These findings create new opportunities for transmission studies in diverse locales.

Keywords: Anopheles; Cryopreservation; Gametocyte; Liver; Malaria; Plasmodium vivax; Sporozoite; Transmission.