Experimental inhibition of nitric oxide increases Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) parasitaemia

Bichet, C., Cornet, S., Larcombe, S. and Sorci, G. (2012) Experimental inhibition of nitric oxide increases Plasmodium relictum (lineage SGS1) parasitaemia. Experimental Parasitology, 132(4), pp. 417-423. (doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.09.008) (PMID:23022523)

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Abstract

Malaria is a widespread vector-borne disease infecting a wide range of terrestrial vertebrates including reptiles, birds and mammals. In addition to being one of the most deadly infectious diseases for humans, malaria is a threat to wildlife. The host immune system represents the main defence against malaria parasites. Identifying the immune effectors involved in malaria resistance has therefore become a major focus of research. However, this has mostly involved humans and animal models (rodents) and how the immune system regulates malaria progression in non-model organisms has been largely ignored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) as an immune effector contributing to the control of the acute phase of infection with the avian malaria agent Plasmodium relictum. We used experimental infections of domestic canaries in conjunction with the inhibition of the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to assess the protective function of NO during the infection, and the physiological costs paid by the host in the absence of an effective NO response. Our results show that birds treated with the iNOS inhibitor suffered from a higher parasitaemia, but did not pay a higher cost of infection (anaemia). While these findings confirm that NO contributes to the resistance to avian malaria during the acute phase of the infection, they also suggest that parasitaemia and costs of infection can be decoupled.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Larcombe, Dr Stephen
Authors: Bichet, C., Cornet, S., Larcombe, S., and Sorci, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Experimental Parasitology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0014-4894
ISSN (Online):1090-2449
Published Online:26 September 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 Elsevier, Inc.
First Published:First published in Experimental Parasitology 123(4):417-423
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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