Last Updated: 16/02/2026
Deciphering hypnozoite formation of Plasmodium vivax
Objectives
This project investigates the formation of hypnozoites in Plasmodium vivax by analyzing liver specimens from chimeric mice inoculated with the parasite.
National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Japan
Keio University, Japan
To evaluate the existence of plant hormones in the liver stage Plasmodium vivax, vivax parasites obtained from infected patients in Thailand were passed through mosquitoes and inoculated to chimeric mice with human liver cells. Liver specimens were then analyzed by imaging mass spectrometry. After confirming the existence of liver stage schizonts and hypnozoites in the chimeric mice, location of parasites and location of plant hormone signals were compared, however, no clear association was seen. In addition, liver stage P. vivax parasites were evaluated for their responses against a plant hormone and an inhibitor of its biosynthesis, which have been reported to control the quiescence of Toxoplasma gondii. However, no effect was observed for the number and the size of P. vivax hypnozoites with these compounds.
Apr 2015 — Mar 2018
$373,006
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