Plasmodium falciparum infection increases Anopheles gambiae attraction to nectar sources and sugar uptake.

ABSTRACT: Plasmodium parasites are known to manipulate the behavior of their vectors so as to enhance transmission. From an evolutionary standpoint, behavior manipulation by the parasite should expose the vector to limited risk of early mortality while ensuring sufficient energy supply for both it and the vector. However, it is unknown whether this vector manipulation also affects vector-plant interaction and sugar uptake. Here, we show that the attraction of Anopheles gambiae s.s. to plant odors increased by 30% and 24% after infection with the oocyst and sporozoite stages of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively, while probing activity increased by 77% and 80%, respectively, when the vectors were infected with the two stages of the parasite. Our data also reveal an increased sugar uptake at the oocy

SUBMITTER: Nyasembe VO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3935215 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature