Spatial distribution of factors that determine sporogonic development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes

Abstract

Mosquitoes transmit malaria, but only a few species permit the complete development and transmission of the parasite. Also, only a fraction of the ingested parasites develop in the vector. The attrition occurs in different compartments during the parasite's complex developmental scheme in the insect. A number of factors, both physical and biochemical, that affect the development have been proposed or demonstrated. Each of these factors is located within a specific space in the insect. We have divided this space into six compartments, which are distinct in their biochemical and biophysical nature: Endoperitrophic space, Peritrophic matrix, Ectopretrophic space, Midgut epithelium, Haemocoel and Salivary gland. Because factors that influence a particular stage of parasite development share the same microenvironment within these compartments, they must be considered collectively to exploit them for designing effective transmission blocking strategies. In this article we discuss these factors according to their spatial location in the mosquito.