Biology of Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte sex ratio and implications in malaria parasite transmission

Abstract

While significant advances have been made in understanding Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte biology and its relationship with malaria parasite transmission, the gametocyte sex ratio contribution to this process still remains a relevant research question. The present review discusses the biology of sex determination in P. falciparum, the underlying host and parasite factors, the sex specific susceptibility to drugs, the effect of sex ratio dynamics on malaria parasite transmission and the development of gametocyte sex specific diagnosis tools. Despite the inherent differences across several studies and approaches, the emerging picture highlights a potentially relevant contribution of the P. falciparum gametocyte sex ratio in the modulation of malaria parasite transmission. The increasing availability of molecular methods to measure gametocyte sex ratio will enable evaluation of important parameters, such as the impact of drug treatment on gametocyte sex ratio in vitro and in vivo as well as the changes of gametocyte sex ratios in natural infections, key steps towards elucidating how these parameters affect parasite infectiousness to the mosquito vectors.

Haematological Derrangement Due to <i>P. falciparum</i> Infection in Patients of Selected Health Centres in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, Taraba State

“…Hyper-reactive splenomegaly especially in falciparum malaria, combined with humoral immune response may have contributed to the findings of lower platelet count observed in the patients in this study. This is in agreement with the report of Henry et al [8] which stated that platelets were significantly lower in infected subjects than that of non-infected blood. The reported significant low platelet count and PCV in the patients conforms to the report who showed parasitaemia and hematological alterations in malaria [9].…”

HIV-1 Impact on Malaria Transmission: A Complex and Relevant Global Health Concern

“…The quantitative balance between male and female gametocytes is hypothesized to contribute to the success of malaria parasite transmission (Mitri et al, 2009). As reviewed by Henry et al (2019) several host and parasite factors can alter the gametocyte sex ratio and ultimately impact transmission potential. Host factors include anemia and erythropoiesis (Paul et al, 2000a;Reece et al, 2005;Sowunmi et al, 2008;Sowunmi et al, 2009;, changing immunity Reece et al, 2008;Reece et al, 2009;Ramiro et al, 2011) and alterations in lipid profiles, each of which are also factors associated with HIV-1 as discussed below.…”

Plasmodium—a brief introduction to the parasites causing human malaria and their basic biology

“…This indicates that the sex of Plasmodium gametocytes is not determined chromosomally but epigenetically, and evidence explaining the mechanism is being accumulated [38]. The gametocyte sex ratio is apparently affected by environmental factors [73][74][75], and this may optimise parasite transmission.…”