The role of the host during the development of Plasmodium berghei hepatic schizonts

Abstract

Immature exoerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei are immunogenic and produce antigens with protective capacities. Immunization experiments show a strong dependency of the responses on the host species and strain. To study this dependency a potential natural host of Plasmodium berghei, Thamnomys gazellae, was introduced, a species which is very susceptible for infection. Young liver stages were produced in different hosts after inoculation with irradiated sporozoites or after treatment with difluoromethylornithine.