Plasmodium Genomics and Genetics: New Insights into Malaria Pathogenesis, Drug Resistance, Epidemiology, and Evolution

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
Xin-Zhuan SuThomas E Wellems

Abstract

Protozoan Plasmodium parasites are the causative agents of malaria, a deadly disease that continues to afflict hundreds of millions of people every year. Infections with malaria parasites can be asymptomatic, with mild or severe symptoms, or fatal, depending on many factors such as parasite virulence and host immune status. Malaria can be treated with various drugs, with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) being the first-line choice. Recent advances in genetics and genomics of malaria parasites have contributed greatly to our understanding of parasite population dynamics, transmission, drug responses, and pathogenesis. However, knowledge gaps in parasite biology and host-parasite interactions still remain. Parasites resistant to multiple antimalarial drugs have emerged, while advanced clinical trials have shown partial efficacy for one available vaccine. Here we discuss genetic and genomic studies of Plasmodium biology, host-parasite interactions, population structures, mosquito infectivity, antigenic variation, and targets for treatment and immunization. Knowledge from these studies will advance our understanding of malaria pathogenesis, epidemiology, and evolution and will support work to discover and develop new ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 17, 2020·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Xin-Zhuan SuDeirdre A Joy
Mar 20, 2021·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Damilola R OresegunJanet Cox-Singh
Jun 3, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Maria Theresia WatzlowikGernot Längst
Aug 2, 2021·International Journal for Parasitology. Drugs and Drug Resistance·Yaye Die NdiayeSarah K Volkman
Jul 2, 2021·Emerging Topics in Life Sciences·Derry K MercerDouglas Fraser-Pitt

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