Evolutionary modelling indicates that mosquito metabolism shapes the life-history strategies of Plasmodium parasites.

ABSTRACT: Within-host survival and between-host transmission are key life-history traits of single-celled malaria parasites. Understanding the evolutionary forces that shape these traits is crucial to predict malaria epidemiology, drug resistance, and virulence. However, very little is known about how Plasmodium parasites adapt to their mosquito vectors. Here, we examine the evolution of the time Plasmodium parasites require to develop within the vector (extrinsic incubation period) with an individual-based model of malaria transmission that includes mosquito metabolism. Specifically, we model the metabolic cascade of resource allocation induced by blood-feeding, as well as the influence of multiple blood meals on parasite development. Our model predicts that successful vector-to-human transmission

SUBMITTER: Carrillo-Bustamante P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10721866 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature