Programmed Cell Death during Malaria Parasite Infection of the Vertebrate Host and Mosquito Vector

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the role of programmed cell death (PCD) in the malaria parasite’s infection of its vertebrate host and mosquito vector. Although the evidence that PCD occurs within malaria parasites themselves is currently limited and controversial, a significant body of research now indicates that PCD of both vertebrate host and mosquito vector cells plays an important, if still incompletely understood, role during infection with this parasite. A greater understanding of the role of PCD during malaria infection of the vertebrate host and mosquito vector may lead to the development of novel intervention strategies that can reduce the burden of the disease. Here we review the current evidence for the existence of PCD within malaria parasites themselves and discuss the recent fascinating advances in our understanding of the occurrence of PCD in vertebrate host and mosquito vector cells during malaria infection.