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A genetic investigation of virulence in a rodent malaria parasite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

D. Walliker
Affiliation:
Protozoan Genetics Unit, Institute of Animal Genetics, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JN
A. Sanderson
Affiliation:
Protozoan Genetics Unit, Institute of Animal Genetics, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JN
M. Yoeli
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York 10016
B. J. Hargreaves
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York 10016

Extract

The genetic basis of virulence in a line (YM) of Plasmodium yoelii yoelii was investigated in a cross with a mild line (A/C). The blood forms of the virulent line developed extensively in mature erythrocytes of mice, causing death of the host within 7 days; infections with the mild line were normally restricted to reticulocytes, infected animals recovering after three weeks. Lines YM and A/C differed additionally in enzyme and drug-sensitivity markers. Studies on infections established from each line alone from sporozoite mixtures of the two lines and from the cross between the lines showed that the appearance of virulence had been caused by a genetic change in the parasite, and not by other factors such as a concurrent infection with another organism. An analysis of the characters of 56 clones derived from the cross showed that the virulence character had undergone recombination with the other markers, and appeared to be inherited in Mendelian fashion. Three clones exhibited atypical virulence, although it was not clear whether this had been produced by genetic recombination.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

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