The generation of genetic diversity in malaria parasites.
The genetic diversity among malaria parasites is considerable, and much scientific investigation has focused on the ramifications of this diversity. Here we have discussed types of genetic change that are related to phenotypic changes in the parasite. To date, these changes have not been observed to result from precise mechanisms like the antigenic diversity seen in trypanosomes. Rather, the parasite seems to depend upon less precise mechanisms for generating diversity in combination with the large number of organisms that accumulate during infection as a reservoir for selection.
McConkey
G A
GA
Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Waters
A P
AP
McCutchan
T F
TF
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000235:genetics*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan