Genomic variation in Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) and its implications for avian malaria infection outcomes: insights from experimental infections and genome-wide analysis

Abstract

Background The globally transmitted avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) has been found to infect hundreds of different bird species with differences in infection outcomes ranging from more or less latent to potentially mortal. However, to date basic knowledge about the links between genetic differentiation and variation in infection outcome within this single malaria parasite species is lacking. Methods In this study, two different isolates of SGS1, obtained in the wild from two different host species, were used to investigate differences in their development in the blood and virulence in the experimentally infected canaries. Simultaneously, 258 kb of the parasite genome was screened for genetic differences using parasite mRNA and compared between experimental groups. Results The two isolates showed differences in development and caused mortality as well as effects on the blood parameters of their hosts. Although previous studies using single genes have shown very limited within lineage genetic diversity in the European population of SGS1, 226 SNPs were found across 322 genes, which separated the two experimental groups with a total of 23 SNPs that were fixed in either of the experimental groups. Moreover, genetic variation was found within each experimental group, hinting that each avian malaria infection harbours standing genetic variation that might be selected during each individual infection episode. Conclusion These results highlight extensive genetic variation within the SGS1 population that is transferred into individual infections, thus adding to the complexity of the infection dynamics seen in these host–parasite interactions. Simultaneously, the results open up the possibility of understanding how genetic variation within the parasite populations is linked to the commonly observed differences in infection outcomes, both in experimental settings and in the wild. Graphical Abstract