contagion with one strain of certain diseases yieldssome protectionagainst others , but malaria is the reverse . Being bitten by mosquitoes carry the two most common species of the malaria parasite can conduce to a bout of disease more stark than either on its own . New research on squealer has revealed a potential chemical mechanism for this combination .
Most deaths from malaria are the result of thePlasmodium falciparumparasite , but the unremarkably milderPlasmodium vivaxis by far the most common form of malaria in Asia and the Americas . Understandably , two infection in quick successiveness can overtake the resistant system ’s defenses , but Dr. have been puzzled as to why such a double dose for malaria appears to produce something even worse , a sort of synergistic effect .
Professor Sarah Reeceof the University of Edinburgh has provided an answer inEcology Letters , based on the way the consistency reacts toP. falciparuminfections .
P. falciparuminfects any red blood cellphone it can find , destroying million in the outgrowth . The dead body respond by producing fresh cells . The trouble isP. vivaxonly infects young stock cells . Under normal consideration , this helps damp down the severity of aP. vivaxinfection . With sr. cellular telephone uninfected the profligate has more reach to keep doing its caper .
However , when a partially clearedP. falciparuminfection has triggered the production of so many new cells , P. vivaxis like a kid in a candy shop , surrounded by opportunity to gormandize itself . In this case , however , it is the horde that gets sick .
Reece demonstrated the fundamental interaction usingP. chabaudiandP. yoelii , two species of malaria that predominantly taint rodents , but have similar generalist and specialist strategy to falciparum and vivax .
The discovery may open possibilities for see other examples where parasites interact within sickish person , and not only when the two species are closely related . The paper observes that the “ nematodeNippostrongylus brasiliensisalters resources available forPlasmodium chabaudi(rodent malaria ) during Colorado - transmission of computer mouse . interaction also occur via the boniface immune reception if one mintage interpose with , or enhances , attack on a co - infecting species . ”
" resistant response are assumed to specify the final result of interactions between sponger species but our study clearly shows that resources can be more authoritative . Our findings also challenge ideas that one species will outcompete the other , which explains why infection involving two parasite species can posture a greater wellness risk of exposure to patient role . " Reece enounce in astatement .
Such Centennial State - infections are not uncommon . Estimates vary by region , but in Asia as many as athirdof malaria case involve co - infection .
The newspaper raises questions as to whether some of the focus of malaria research , presently centralize on fightingP. falciparum , should be dislodge toP. vivax .
