Purification Methodology for Viable and Infective Plasmodium vivax Gametocytes That Is Compatible with Transmission-Blocking Assays

Author(s)

Vera, Omaira ^{[1, 2]} ; de Brito, Paula Brelas ^[2] ; Albrecht, Letusa ^{[1, 3]} ; Monick Martins-Campos, Keillen ^{[2, 4]} ; Pimenta, Paulo F. P. ^[5] ; Monteiro, Wuelton M. ^{[2, 4]} ; Lacerda, Marcus V. G. ^{[2, 6]} ; Lopes, Stefanie C. P. ^{[1, 2, 6]} ; Costa, Fabio T. M. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Dept Genet Evolucao & Bioagentes, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Fundacao Med Trop Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Gerencia Malaria, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[3] Fiocruz MS, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estado Amazonas, Escola Super Ciencias Saude, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[5] Fiocruz MS, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Ctr Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[6] Fiocruz MS, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Leonidas Maria Deane, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; v. 59, n. 10, p. 6638-6641, OCT 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Significant progress toward the control of malaria has been achieved, especially regarding Plasmodium falciparum infections. However, the unique biology of Plasmodium vivax hampers current control strategies. The early appearance of P. vivax gametocytes in the peripheral blood and the impossibility of culturing this parasite are major drawbacks. Using blood samples from 40 P. vivax-infected patients, we describe here a methodology to purify viable gametocytes and further infect anophelines. This method opens new avenues to validate transmission-blocking strategies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/16525-2 - Plasmodium vivax: pathogenesis and infectivity
• Grantee: Fabio Trindade Maranhão Costa
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants