Unveiling the role of extracellular vesicles in Apicomplexan infections.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key players in the pathogenesis of malaria and toxoplasmosis, two significant infectious diseases caused by Apicomplexa parasites. This chapter investigates the multifaceted roles of EVs in the progression of these diseases, emphasizing their involvement in immune modulation, hostparasite interactions, and the regulation of disease severity. In malaria, EVs derived from infected red blood cells, platelets, and endothelial cells contribute to disease symptoms, immune response modulation, and parasite survival and have potential as biomarkers and tools for vaccine development. Similarly, in toxoplasmosis, EVs influence the modulation of immune responses and disease progression, presenting distinct profiles depending on the Toxoplasma gondii strain. Notably, EVs from both parasites contain immunogenic proteins that can be used in vaccine development, with promising results in preclinical studies. The role of EVs in these parasitic infections highlights their potential as therapeutic targets and diagnostic tools, providing new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of malaria and toxoplasmosis.