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Plasmodium falciparum ookinetes migrate intercellularly throughAnopheles stephensi midgut epithelium

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Abstract

The migration ofPlasmodium falciparum andP. berghei ookinetes through the midgut epithelium inAnopheles stephensi was studied by transmission electron microscopy. With ruthenium red (RR) staining, the results of previous studies were confirmed:P. falciparum ookinetes take an intercellular route through the midgut epithelium. In the same mosquito species, the rodent parasiteP. berghei appeared to take an intracellular position, as previously suggested by other authors. The intra- or intercellular ookinete migration ofP. berghei orP. falciparum, respectively, can perhaps be related to the higher mortality ofP. berghei-infected mosquitoes within the first 2 days of infection. Evidence is presented that oocyst capsule formation begins as early as during the migration of the ookinete. After localization between the epithelial cells and the midgut basal lamina, the rapidly expanding oocyst stretches the overlying layer of the latter at the haemocoelic surface while a new basal lamina is generated between the oocyst and epithelial cell.

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Abbreviations

BL :

basal lamina

CR :

cristalloid

N :

nucleus

RER :

rough endoplasmic reticulum

Mp :

malarial pigment

M :

mitochondrion

MV :

microvillous border

OC :

oocyst capsule

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Microbiology, Department of Parasitology, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 24, University of Nijmegen, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    J. F. G. M. Meis, G. Pool, G. J. van Gemert, A. H. W. Lensen, T. Ponnudurai & J. H. E. T. Meuwissen

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  1. J. F. G. M. Meis
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  2. G. Pool
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  3. G. J. van Gemert
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  4. A. H. W. Lensen
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  5. T. Ponnudurai
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  6. J. H. E. T. Meuwissen
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Meis, J.F.G.M., Pool, G., van Gemert, G.J. et al. Plasmodium falciparum ookinetes migrate intercellularly throughAnopheles stephensi midgut epithelium. Parasitol Res 76, 13–19 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931065

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