Opening Pandora\'s Box: Distribution of Plasmodium gametocytes in bloodstream

摘要: Abstract Malaria, a vector borne disease caused by Plasmodium spp., remains major global cause of morbidity and mortality. Optimization the control strategies requires thorough understanding fundamental processes underlying parasite transmission. Although number transmissible stages (gametocyte) in human blood is frequently used as an indicator human-to-mosquito transmission potential, this relationship not always clear. Important efforts have been made to develop molecular tools fine-tune gametocyte densities estimation therefore improve prediction mosquito infection rates, but significant level uncertainty around estimate remains. Here we show with both avian malaria system that within-vertebrate host distribution gametocytes could explain much uncertainty. By comparing bloodstream between different body parts, found difference nearly 50% humans more than 15% birds. An density from only one sample, usually case, drastically over- or underestimated infectivity carriers. This might important consequences on epidemiology since show, using system, variation influences vector. In light our results, argue it essential consider heterogeneous diagnosis, identify infectious reservoirs test new strategies.