A target for intervention in Plasmodium falciparum infections
McKenzie, F.E.; Bossert, W.H.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 58(6): 763-767
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 9660460 Document Number: 496442
We present a set of simple mathematical models to investigate interactions between malaria parasites and the human immune system and the differentiation of parasites from asexual, pathogenic into sexual, transmissible blood stages. Each model represents a different combination of empirically based hypotheses, and salient behaviors of each fit criteria developed from clinical data. In all models, however, higher gametocyte conversion rates result in lower peak asexual-form densities. Therefore, to the extent that asexual-form densities are associated with disease symptoms, interventions that stimulate gametocytogenesis should produce unexpected clinical benefits.