Reduction of human malaria by controlling or altering insect
Malaria is a complicated and severe disease widespread throughout the tropical zone and in many areas of the temperate zones (Barlow, R. 1968). It is caused by parasitic protozoa, which is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasitic protozoa are single-celled organisms that live in both human host and insect vector, and (roll back 1998) can kill by infecting and destroying red blood cells (anaemia) and by clogging the capillaries that carry blood to the brain (cerebral malaria) or other vital organs. This parasite is from the genus Plasmodium which can affect various groups of vertebrates such as reptiles, birds and mammals. There are more than 100 species in the genus but only four species causes malaria in humans. They are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. These four different species of parasite varies in severeness and are to some extent different from each other in form and produces different symptoms. More than two species of plasmodium can occur in the same place and is able to infect an individual at the same instance (fact sheet). Plasmodium falciparum is the most fatal type of malaria infection characterized by fever, headache, vomiting, weakness and other f
LRIM1 13 0 6146 6146 473 (155-875) 0 0.001 LRIM1 61 0 19398 19398 318 (0-875) 0 0.001 A recent advance in genetic analysis of the major human malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae has revealed natural factors that reduce transmission of P. falciparum (Niare, 2002). Immune response-controlling genes of the mosquito can affect development of malaria parasite. At the invasive stage of ookinete of the parasite, it enters the invasion stage where the activation of the mosquito’s innate immune system results in the loss of ookinete numbers. Genome sequencing has identified immunity genes against the malaria parasites. A report by Osta et. al (2003) stated that two C-type lectin genes (CTL4 and CTLMA2) and one leucine-rich repeat immune gene (LRIM1) showed striking effects on Plasmodium development. It is found that the silencing of each gene produced either fluorescent, living oocyst or dead, melanized non-fluorescent ookinetes. The results of the silencing of the three genes are summarized in the table below. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in the ookinete and oocyst allow for convenient quantifying of infection.
Some topics in this essay:
Africa Pmalariae,
,
Africa Miller,
Public Liaison,
Probabil-ity CLT4,
Based Butcher,
CTL4 CTLMA2,
CTLs LRIM,
Africa Plasmodium,
Par/midgut Mean,
red blood,
red blood cells,
anopheles mosquito,
blood cells,
malaria parasites,
et al,
human host,
human malaria,
silencing gene,
harm vector,
plasmodium falciparum,
female anopheles mosquito,
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Approximate Word count = 2173
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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