title: [The modulation of Plasmodium falciparum virulence as a factor in the self-regulation of the malarial parasitic system].
abstract: Higher Plasmodium falciparum virulence is one of the major factors that contributes to the development of severe malaria and leads to death. However, the nature of virulence and its time course are not so far fully understood. The authors have made a published data-based hypothesis that the virulence of P. falciparum strains circulating in the malaria endemic areas of tropical Africa is not strictly genetically determined. The virulence of P. falciparum increases with its passage through the non-immune organisms of the infected persons. This mechanism of virulence modulation ensures the survival of the parasite in the human population with a considerable communal immunity. To test the validity of the hypothesis, the authors have used a mathematical analytical method to assess the published data on malaria mortality in some areas of tropical Africa. The results of the analysis have shown close values of actual and expected data.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kondrashin
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Sabgaĭda
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Sergiev
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D006706:Homeostasis; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012692:Serial Passage; D013597:Systems Analysis; D014774:Virulence