Pathogenesis of Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) as an experimental model for severe malaria.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As the quest to eradicate malaria continues, there remains a need to gain further understanding of the disease, particularly with regard to pathogenesis. This is facilitated, apart from in vitro and clinical studies, mainly via in vivo mouse model studies. However, there are few studies that have used gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) as animal models. Thus, this study is aimed at characterizing the effects of Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in gerbils, as well as the underlying pathogenesis.

Methods

Gerbils, 5-7 weeks old were infected by PbA via intraperitoneal injection of 1 × 10⁶ (0.2 mL) infected red blood cells. Parasitemia, weight gain/loss, hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and body temperature changes in both control and infe

SUBMITTER: Junaid QO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5642054 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature