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Malaria Journal
Published in: Malaria Journal 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Plasmodium Falciparum | Research

Comparative analysis of asexual and sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum development in different red blood cell types

Authors: Linda E. Amoah, Festus K. Acquah, Prince B. Nyarko, Elizabeth Cudjoe, Dickson Donu, Ruth Ayanful-Torgby, Fredericka Sey, Kim C. Williamson, Gordon A. Awandare

Published in: Malaria Journal | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms are suggested to influence the course of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Whereas some variants have been found to be protective, others have been found to enhance parasite development. This study evaluated the effect of variant haemoglobin (Hb) and ABO blood groups on P. falciparum merozoite invasion, multiplication rates as well as gametocyte development.

Methods

Approximately 2.5 mL of venous blood was collected from each participant. Flow cytometry was used to determine the in vitro merozoite invasion rates of NF54 parasites into the blood of 66 non-parasitaemic individuals with variant Hb genotypes (HbSS, HbSC) and blood groups (A, B, O), which were then compared with invasion into HbAA blood. The ex vivo asexual parasite multiplication and gametocyte production rates of parasites from 79 uncomplicated malaria patients with varying Hb genotypes (HbAS, HbAC and HbAA) were also estimated using microscopy.

Results

Merozoite invasion rates were significantly reduced by about 50% in RBCs containing HbSS and HbSC relative to HbAA cells. The presence of blood group O and B reduced the invasion rates of HbSS by about 50% and 60%, respectively, relative to HbSC but the presence of blood group A removed the inhibitory effect of HbSS. The initial parasite densities in uncomplicated malaria patients with Hb genotypes HbAS and HbAC cells were similar but significantly lower than those with genotype HbAA. The ex vivo parasite multiplication rate, gametocytaemia and gametocyte conversion rates followed a similar trend but did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Parasite invasion rate into erythrocytes is dependent on both erythrocyte blood group antigen and haemoglobin genotype as blood group O and B provided protection via reduced merozoite invasion in RBCs containing HbSS relative to HbSC. Regardless of haemoglobin type, greater than 70% malaria patients had circulating ring stage parasites that differentiated into stage II gametocytes in 4 days.
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Metadata
Title
Comparative analysis of asexual and sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum development in different red blood cell types
Authors
Linda E. Amoah
Festus K. Acquah
Prince B. Nyarko
Elizabeth Cudjoe
Dickson Donu
Ruth Ayanful-Torgby
Fredericka Sey
Kim C. Williamson
Gordon A. Awandare
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Malaria Journal / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2875
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-03275-9

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