Visual Detection of Malaria Parasite-Parasitized Erythroblasts in Peripheral Blood via Immunization-Based Model.

BACKGROUND

Erythroblasts have recently been identified as host cells for malarial parasites, revealing a previously underappreciated host-parasite interaction. However, their extremely low abundance in peripheral blood has hindered progress, especially in elucidating the biological significance of parasitized erythroblasts (pEBs) in vivo.

METHODS

Here, we visualized pEBs in a murine model and established a method to increase their number in peripheral blood by immunizing mice with live Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL, followed by challenge with P. berghei ANKA.

RESULTS

Immunized mice were protected from cerebral malaria and survived longer, during which pEBs appeared in circulation and were detected using Giemsa-stained smears. All blood-stage parasite forms were identified within pEBs, including enucleating erythroblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

This model enables in vivo/ex vivo analysis of pEB biology without bone marrow/spleen isolation, thus lowering technical/ethical barriers for the field.