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Journal articles
Stage-specific manipulation of a mosquito's host-seeking behavior by the malaria parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum
Abstract : We present experimental evidence that different stages of the malaria parasite Plasmodium gallinaceum differentially affect the host-seeking behavior of its mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. In uninfected mosquitoes, host-seeking behavior is continued if mosquitoes have ingested less than a threshold volume of blood, whereas a larger blood meal inhibits host seeking. We investigated the parasite's effect on this behavior by feeding infected and uninfected mosquitoes for variable amounts of time and assaying 30-45 min later whether they continued their attempts at blood-feeding. Mosquitoes infected with oocysts (which cannot be transmitted) had a smaller threshold volume and were less likely to return for further probing, whereas individuals infected with transmissible sporozoites increased the threshold volume required to inhibit host-seeking behavior. We conclude that the stage-specific effect of the parasite on host-seeking behavior is likely to be an active manipulation by the parasite to increase its transmission success.
https://hal-pasteur.archives-ouvertes.fr/pasteur-03661330
Contributor : Richard Paul Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Friday, May 6, 2022 - 5:21:22 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, May 12, 2022 - 3:46:07 AM
Contributor : Richard Paul Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Friday, May 6, 2022 - 5:21:22 PM
Last modification on : Thursday, May 12, 2022 - 3:46:07 AM
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