Plasmodium development in Anopheles: a tale of shared resources.

Interactions between the Anopheles mosquito vector and Plasmodium parasites shape how malaria is transmitted in endemic regions. The long association of these two organisms has led to evolutionary processes that minimize fitness costs of infection and benefit both players through shared nutrient resources, parasite immune suppression, and mosquito tolerance to infection. In this review we explore recent data describing how Plasmodium falciparum , the deadliest malaria parasite, associates with one of its most important natural mosquito hosts, Anopheles gambiae , and we discuss the implications of these findings for parasite transmission and vector control strategies currently in development. Parasites can exploit mosquito resources for their own development. Reproductive fitness costs are minimized in natural combinations of Plasmodium and Anopheles. A mating-induced tolerance mechanism has evolved in Anopheles gambiae to limit reproductive fitness costs of high-intensity Plasmodium infections. Nutrient resources within the mosquito can affect parasite development, sporozoite function, and infectivity. Manipulations to mosquito physiology have consequences for malaria transmission and proposed vector control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]