Work

Exposing the hidden: establishing immunity to Plasmodium liver stage infection

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Plasmodium, the parasite which causes malaria, has evolved with - and plagued - humans since our species emerged. Decades of intervention efforts have concluded that the blueprint for success is to hamper transmission between Anopheles mosquitoes and humans. Before causing symptomatic blood-stage infection, Plasmodium must first develop in the liver, which serves as a hidden gateway into the human host. Blocking parasite entrance or exit through the liver stage prevents both illness and onward transmission. Robust immunity against the pre-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum fails to develop during natural exposure in malaria-endemic countries. Here, we highlight how expanding knowledge of key mechanisms involved in the immune response against the liver stage parasite is shaping current and future intervention strategies against malaria.

Source: Trends in Parasitology

DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.10.007

Authors: Jaclyn Quin, Miren Urrutia Iturritza, Ümit Yasar Kina, Kai Matuschewski, Johan Ankarklev

Institutions: Stockholm University, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Language: English

Topic: Malaria Research and Control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030