LSTM Home > LSTM Research > LSTM Online Archive

Plasmodium falciparum transmission stages accumulate in the human bone marrow

Joice, R., Nilsson, S. K., Montgomery, Jacqui, Dankwa, S., Egan, E., Morahan, B., Seydel, K. B., Bertuccini, L., Alano, P., Williamson, K. C., Duraisingh, M. T., Taylor, T. E., Milner, D. A. and Marti, M. (2014) 'Plasmodium falciparum transmission stages accumulate in the human bone marrow'. Science Translational Medicine, Vol 6, Issue 244, 244re5.

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites requires formation and development of gametocytes, yet all but the most mature of these sexual parasite forms are absent from the blood circulation. We performed a systematic organ survey in pediatric cases of fatal malaria to characterize the spatial dynamics of gametocyte development in the human host. Histological studies revealed a niche in the extravascular space of the human bone marrow where gametocytes formed in erythroid precursor cells and underwent development before reentering the circulation. Accumulation of gametocytes in the hematopoietic system of human bone marrow did not rely on cytoadherence to the vasculature as does sequestration of asexual-stage parasites. This suggests a different mechanism for the sequestration of gametocytes that could potentially be exploited to block malaria transmission.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: QX Parasitology > Protozoa > QX 135 Plasmodia
WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 380 Bone marrow
WS Pediatrics > WS 20 Research (General)
WS Pediatrics > Diseases of Children and Adolescents > By System > WS 300 Hemic and lymphatic system
Faculty: Department: Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3008882
Depositing User: Martin Chapman
Date Deposited: 03 Sep 2014 13:17
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2020 10:59
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/3826

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item