Box 2 Outstanding research questions of cryptic Plasmodium chronic infections
From: Cryptic Plasmodium chronic infections: was Maurizio Ascoli right?
Are cryptic asexual blood stages during chronic infections hidden at plain sight? |
Do they represent the main source of parasites during asymptomatic infections? |
Are the bone marrow and spleen the main places for cryptic chronic infections? |
Is there host/parasite intercellular communication facilitating establishment of cryptic niches? |
What selective advantages are behind the evolution of cryptic hypnozoite dormant stages vs cryptic active stages in P. vivax? |
What is the factual degree of sheltering of these cryptic niches, both in terms of evasion of immune responses and anti-malarial drugs? |
What are the implications of these sheltered niches for malaria elimination? |