Impact of host stress on the replication rate of Plasmodium: take it easy to avoid malaria recurrences

Malaria is widespread throughout the world and affects many animal species. Although origin of this vector-borne disease was discovered more than a century ago, several aspects within-host infection dynamic are still poorly understood. Among them, factors triggering parasite recurrences – episodes brief increase in number following period when either absent or present at very low levels blood have not been clearly identified. Yet, may contribute significantly to overall prevalence vertebrate host populations. Here, we investigated whether artificial natural increases stress hormone chronically infected birds influence replication rate Plasmodium relictum transmission its vector, mosquito Culex pipiens . Our results provide evidence that increased corticosterone, induced by oral ingestion caused handling stress, can trigger malaria recurrences. However, did observe any effect on vector. study first fundamental step understanding mechanisms underlying It remains be ascertained feature extends other system particular human malaria.