Primate malarias as a model for cross-species parasite transmission

Parasites regularly switch into new host species, representing a disease burden and conservation risk to the hosts. The distribution of these parasites also gives insight into characteristics of ecological networks and genetic mechanisms of host-parasite interactions. Some parasites are shared acros...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:eLife 2022-01, Vol.11
Main Authors: Voinson, Marina, Nunn, Charles L, Goldberg, Amy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Disease susceptibility
Epidemiology and Global Health
Erythrocytes
Evolutionary Biology
Genetic aspects
Geographical distribution
Host alternation
Host Specificity
host switching
Host-parasite interactions
Humans
Infections
Malaria
Malaria - epidemiology
Malaria - parasitology
Malaria - transmission
Parasites
Plasmodium
Primate Diseases - parasitology
primate malaria
Primates
Review
Species
Taxonomy
Vaccines
Wildlife
Zoonoses
Zoonoses - parasitology
zoonosis
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Summary:Parasites regularly switch into new host species, representing a disease burden and conservation risk to the hosts. The distribution of these parasites also gives insight into characteristics of ecological networks and genetic mechanisms of host-parasite interactions. Some parasites are shared across many species, whereas others tend to be restricted to hosts from a single species. Understanding the mechanisms producing this distribution of host specificity can enable more effective interventions and potentially identify genetic targets for vaccines or therapies. As ecological connections between human and local animal populations increase, the risk to human and wildlife health from novel parasites also increases. Which of these parasites will fizzle out and which have the potential to become widespread in humans? We consider the case of primate malarias, caused by parasites, to investigate the interacting ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that put human and nonhuman primates at risk for infection. host switching from nonhuman primates to humans led to ancient introductions of the most common malaria-causing agents in humans today, and new parasite switching is a growing threat, especially in Asia and South America. Based on a wild host- occurrence database, we highlight geographic areas of concern and potential areas to target further sampling. We also discuss methodological developments that will facilitate clinical and field-based interventions to improve human and wildlife health based on this eco-evolutionary perspective.
ISSN:2050-084X
2050-084X
DOI:10.7554/eLife.69628