Plasmodium fragile
Plasmodium fragile is a malaria parasite found naturally in Bonnet macaques from India and toque macaques from Sri Lanka.[1]
Plasmodium fragile | |
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Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Diaphoretickes |
Kingdom: | Chromista |
Subkingdom: | Harosa |
Infrakingdom: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Aconoidasida |
Order: | Haemospororida |
Family: | Plasmodiidae |
Genus: | Plasmodium |
Species: | P. fragile |
Binomial name | |
Plasmodium fragile Dissanaike, Nelson, and Garnham, 1965 | |
Description
Plasmodium fragile is considered a second malaria species, a simian counterpart to the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum.[2] P. fragile has similar characteristics to those of P. falciparum. Such characteristics include deep circulation schizogony and sequestration, high virulence, no marked enlargement of host cell, no Shuffner’s stippling, heavy pigmentation, small schizonts, and lack of true relapses.[1][3] P. fragile infection of rhesus monkeys mimics P. falciparum infection in humans.[4] P. fragile has been cultivated successfully.[2]
Hosts
Natural hosts of P. fragile are Macaca radiata monkeys in South India and Macaca sinica in Sri Lanka. Transmission of this parasite to Macaca mulatta and Aotus species using sporozoites produced in Anopheles dirus mosquitoes has been reported previously.[3] P. fragile has been successfully transmitted to splenectomized squirrel monkeys by both blood stage and sporozoite transmission.[1]
Vaccine trials
Plasmodium fragile has also been used in squirrel monkeys for vaccine trials and cross-protection trials.[1]
References
- Galland, G. Gale (2000). "Role of the Squirrel Monkey in Parasitic Disease Research". ILAR Journal. 41: 37–43. doi:10.1093/ilar.41.1.37. PMID 11421222. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- Chin, W; Moss, D; Collins, WE. (1979). "The continuous cultivation of Plasmodium fragile by the method of Trager-Jensen". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 28 (3): 591–2. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1979.28.591. PMID 110165.
- Collins, William E.; Skinner, Jimmie C.; Filipski, Valerie K.; Broderson, J. Roger; Stanfill, Peggy S.; Morris, Carla L. (1990). "Transmission of Plasmodium fragile to Saimiri Monkeys". The Journal of Parasitology. 76 (5): 730–2. doi:10.2307/3282990. JSTOR 3282990. PMID 2213417.
- Nguyen-Dinh, P; Deloron, PL; Barber, AM; Collins, WE (1988). "Plasmodium fragile: detection of a ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA)". Experimental Parasitology. 65 (1): 119–24. doi:10.1016/0014-4894(88)90113-0. PMID 3276549.