Revisiting gametocyte biology in malaria parasites

Priscilla Ngotho; Alexandra Blancke Soares; Franziska Hentzschel; Fiona Achcar; Lucia Bertuccini; Matthias Marti

doi:10.1093/femsre/fuz010

Revisiting gametocyte biology in malaria parasites

FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2019 Jul 1;43(4):401-414. doi: 10.1093/femsre/fuz010.

Authors

Priscilla Ngotho¹, Alexandra Blancke Soares¹, Franziska Hentzschel¹, Fiona Achcar¹, Lucia Bertuccini², Matthias Marti^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120 University Road, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
² Core Facilities, Microscopy Area, Instituto Superiore di Sanita, Via Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston 02115, MA, USA.

Abstract

Gametocytes are the only form of the malaria parasite that is transmissible to the mosquito vector. They are present at low levels in blood circulation and significant knowledge gaps exist in their biology. Recent reductions in the global malaria burden have brought the possibility of elimination and eradication, with renewed focus on malaria transmission biology as a basis for interventions. This review discusses recent insights into gametocyte biology in the major human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum and related species.

Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum; gametocyte; malaria; transmission.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Culicidae / parasitology
Humans
Life Cycle Stages / physiology*
Malaria / parasitology*
Malaria / transmission*
Plasmodium / growth & development
Plasmodium / physiology*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding