Parasite manipulation without the parasite

Parasite manipulation without the parasite

Malaria infection has been associated with alterations in mosquito blood-feeding behaviors. Given that the observed behavioral changes coincide with particular stages of infection and shift in ways that augment the probability of transmission, Plasmodium parasites are often accused of ‘manipulating’ mosquito behavior. A group of Penn State scientists led by post-doctoral researchers Lauren Cator and Justin George present evidence that mosquito responsiveness to host cues can change even when exposed individuals do not contain living parasites.

Read the Penn State News article HERE

Written By: Cator LJ, George J, Blanford S, Murdock CC, Baker TC, Read AF, & Thomas MB

Paper Url: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1763/20130711.abstract

Journal: 280: 20130711

Journal Reference: 280: 20130711

Paper Id: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0711