malaria
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification of an Immunogenic Broadly Inhibitory Surface Epitope of the Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein Ligand DomainVivax malaria is the second leading cause of malaria worldwide and the major cause of non-African malaria. Unfortunately, efforts to develop antimalarial vaccines specifically targeting Plasmodium vivax have been largely neglected, and few candidates have progressed into clinical trials. The Duffy binding protein is considered a leading blood-stage vaccine candidate...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyInternalization of Erythrocyte Acylpeptide Hydrolase Is Required for Asexual Replication of Plasmodium falciparumNearly half a million deaths were attributed to malaria in 2017. Protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium cause disease in humans while replicating asexually within the host’s erythrocytes, with P. falciparum responsible for most of the mortality. Understanding how Plasmodium spp. have adapted to their unique host erythrocyte environment is...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologyLooking for Needles in the Plasmodial HaystackPlasmodium falciparum malaria remains a globally leading infectious disease problem. Despite decades of intense investigation, an efficacious and practical vaccine offering durable protection to people living in areas with transmission of malaria parasites remains an elusive goal.
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDistinct Antibody Signatures Associated with Different Malaria Transmission Intensities in Zambia and ZimbabweAs malaria approaches elimination in many areas of the world, monitoring the effect of control measures becomes more important but challenging. Low-level infections may go undetected by conventional tests that depend on parasitemia, particularly in immune individuals, who typically show no symptoms of malaria. In contrast, antibodies persist after parasitemia and may provide a more accurate picture of recent exposure. Only a few...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAntibodies to Peptides in Semiconserved Domains of RIFINs and STEVORs Correlate with Malaria ExposureMalaria, an infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, causes nearly 435,000 deaths annually worldwide. RIFINs and STEVORs are two variant surface antigen families that are involved in malaria pathogenesis and immune evasion. Recent work has shown that a lack of humoral immunity to these proteins is associated with severe malaria vulnerability in...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAntibody Biomarkers Associated with Sterile Protection Induced by Controlled Human Malaria Infection under Chloroquine ProphylaxisInfection by Plasmodium parasites has been a major cause of mortality and morbidity in humans for thousands of years. Despite the considerable reduction of deaths, according to the WHO, over 5 billion people are still at risk, with about 216 million worldwide cases occurring in 2016. More compelling, 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa bore 80% of the worldwide malaria burden. Complete eradication has been challenging, and the...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyDisruption of Apicoplast Biogenesis by Chemical Stabilization of an Imported Protein Evades the Delayed-Death Phenotype in Malaria ParasitesMalaria is a major cause of global childhood mortality. To sustain progress in disease control made in the last decade, new antimalarial therapies are needed to combat emerging drug resistance. Malaria parasites contain a relict chloroplast called the apicoplast, which harbors new targets for drug discovery. Unfortunately, some drugs targeting apicoplast pathways exhibit a delayed-death phenotype, which results in a slow onset-of-action...
Editor's Pick Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologyMalaria in Farmed Ungulates: an Exciting New System for Comparative ParasitologyA wide array of vertebrates can serve as the intermediate hosts to malaria parasites (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida), such as birds, lizards, and several groups of mammals, including primates, bats, rodents, and ungulates. The latter group of hosts has not been intensively studied since early descriptions of a small set of taxa were published, but new reports of these parasites in both expected and new hosts have recently been published....
Editor's Pick Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyNatural History of Plasmodium odocoilei Malaria Infection in Farmed White-Tailed DeerMalaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium are known to infect a variety of vertebrate hosts, including ungulates (hoofed mammals). A recent study found that up to a quarter of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in North America are infected with the parasite Plasmodium odocoilei. In addition to occupying an important ecological niche, white-tailed...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionTargeted Phenotypic Screening in Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii Reveals Novel Modes of Action of Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box MoleculesThe phylum Apicomplexa includes many human and animal pathogens, such as Plasmodium falciparum (human malaria) and Toxoplasma gondii (human and animal toxoplasmosis). Widespread resistance to current antimalarials and the lack of a commercial vaccine necessitate novel pharmacological...