Implications of Plasmodium vivax biology for control, elimination, and research
Journal Title
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Publication Type
Journal Article in press
Abstract
This paper summarizes our current understanding of the biology of Plasmodium vivax, how it differs from Plasmodium falciparum, and how these differences explain the need for P. vivax-tailored interventions. The article further pinpoints knowledge gaps where investments in research are needed to help identify and develop such specific interventions. The principal obstacles to reduce and eventually eliminate P. vivax reside in 1) its higher vectorial capacity compared with P. falciparum due to its ability to develop at lower temperature and over a shorter sporogonic cycle in the vector, allowing transmission in temperate zones and making it less sensitive to vector control measures that are otherwise effective on P. falciparum; 2) the presence of dormant liver forms (hypnozoites), sustaining multiple relapsing episodes from a single infectious bite that cannot be diagnosed and are not susceptible to any available antimalarial except primaquine, with routine deployment restricted by toxicity; 3) low parasite densities, which are difficult to detect with current diagnostics leading to missed diagnoses and delayed treatments (and protracted transmission), coupled with 4) transmission stages (gametocytes) occurring early in acute infections, before infection is diagnosed.
Publisher
ASTMH
Research Division(s)
Population Health And Immunity
PubMed ID
27819682
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Refer to copyright notice on published article.


Creation Date: 2016-11-14 11:36:26
Last Modified: 2016-11-17 01:36:13
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