98 Questions
What is the main reason why the parasite makes hemozoin crystals of iron?
To remove toxic byproducts
How does PfEMP1 help the parasite?
By sticking to the vascular endothelial wall of blood vessels
What is the role of var genes?
To encode PfEMP1
Why do parasites switch PfEMP1?
To evade the host's immune system
What is the result of PfEMP1 binding to a receptor in tissue?
A lot of damage
How are most var genes regulated?
By silencing all var genes except one
What is the common feature found in the N-terminal sequences of exported proteins?
A 3 amino acid signature
What percentage of exported genes are essential to growth?
25%
What is the role of the PEXEL protein-export translocon?
It is a nexus for many virulence and survival roles
What is the function of proteins involved in cytoadherence?
They help in cell adhesion
What is the role of proteins that help refold other proteins?
They help in protein folding
What is the significance of the PEXEL motif?
It is a signal sequence for protein export
What is a potential strategy to improve current vaccine design?
Presenting the CSP antigen in a different way
What is a way to overcome strain-specificity and immune escape?
Improving adjuvants and dosing regimens
How do Apicomplexa parasites, such as Plasmodium, invade host cells?
By binding receptors on the host cell with ligands
What is a potential benefit of combining RTS,S with other interventions?
Increased efficacy of the vaccine
Why is it necessary to target key epitopes on the CSP antigen?
Because they are missing in RTS,S
What is a characteristic of different Plasmodium species?
They prefer different RBCs
What is the primary mechanism of immune evasion utilized by parasites in the context of invasion pathways?
Variation in ligand usage
What is the significance of the 'Rh5 complex' in blood-stage vaccine development?
It is a promising target for vaccine development
What is the primary goal of a blood-stage vaccine against malaria?
To cover all major invasion pathways
What is the global burden of HIV in terms of the number of people living with HIV?
38.4 million people
What is the primary mechanism of HIV entry into host cells?
Fusion with the host cell membrane
What is the primary goal of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection?
To reduce viral replication and slow disease progression
What is the approximate number of people living with HIV in Africa?
3.8 million
Which population has a 35 times greater risk of acquiring HIV than adults who do not inject drugs?
People who inject drugs
What is the goal of the 95-95-95 targets by 2030?
95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of people living with HIV who know their status are receiving treatment, and 95% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads
What is the function of the Gp120 protein in the HIV life cycle?
Allows for cell attachment to the target cell
What is the result of the delta 32 mutation in the CCR5 gene?
This mutation leads to a deletion of 32bp and no expression of CCR5
What is the primary site of HIV replication in early infection?
Cervicovaginal epithelium
What is the result of sequence variation in HIV?
Evasion of the immune response
What is the primary mechanism of CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV infection?
Direct infection
What is the goal of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?
To prevent HIV transmission
What is the function of the reverse transcriptase enzyme in HIV replication?
To transcribe RNA into DNA
In which stage of the malaria life cycle does the parasite undergo sexual reproduction?
Mosquito stage
What is the name of the protein encoded by the var genes in Plasmodium?
PfEMP1
What is the primary site of malaria disease?
Blood
How long does the asexual blood stage cycle of the malaria parasite take?
2-3 days
What is the role of the Anopheles mosquito in the malaria life cycle?
Definitive host
What percentage of malaria deaths are caused by Plasmodium falciparum?
95%
What is the primary function of the PEXEL protein-export translocon?
To facilitate the export of proteins across the parasitophorous vacuole membrane
What is the common feature of the N-terminal sequences of exported proteins?
A 3 amino acid signature of R X L X (E,Q or D)
What is the significance of the PEXEL motif in protein export?
It is a signal sequence for protein export across the parasitophorous vacuole membrane
What percentage of exported genes are essential to the growth of the parasite?
25%
What is the role of proteins involved in cytoadherence?
To facilitate the binding of the parasite to host cells
What is the primary point of vulnerability in the parasite's protein export process?
The protein export process across the parasitophorous vacuole membrane
What is the function of plasmepsin V in the ER?
To recognise and cleave the Plasmodium protein
What is PTEX?
A putative Plasmodium translocon of PEXEL proteins
What is the significance of the conditional knockout of PTEX components?
It kills parasites and can be used to develop anti-malarial drugs
What is the purpose of using glucosamine in the conditional knockout of PTEX components?
To modify the ribozyme that is susceptible to glucosamine
What is the significance of the 3D cryEM structure of PTEX?
It is a big step forward for drug development against malaria
What is the primary goal of malaria diagnosis?
To identify and treat patients, surveillance and monitor drug resistance
What is the primary mechanism by which Apicomplexa parasites invade host cells?
By using a motor molecular machine to eject ligands that bind receptors on the host cell
What is the main difference between RTS,S and R21 vaccine platforms?
R21 has a different adjuvant and optimal antigen presentation
What is a key factor that affects the immune response to malaria vaccines?
All of the above
What is the goal of combining RTS,S with other interventions, such as chemoprophylaxis and ITNs?
To enhance the effectiveness of malaria prevention and control
What is the significance of targeting key epitopes on the CSP antigen?
It reduces the risk of immune escape
What is a characteristic of different Plasmodium species?
They prefer different types of red blood cells
What is the primary mechanism of HIV entry into host cells?
Through binding to CD4 receptor and a chemokine co-receptor, followed by fusion of the viral membrane with the host cell membrane
What percentage of people living with HIV who know their status are receiving treatment according to the 95-95-95 targets by 2030?
95%
What is the primary goal of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection?
To reduce the viral load to undetectable levels
What is the result of the delta 32 mutation in the CCR5 gene?
It makes individuals resistant to R5 viruses
What is the role of the Gp120 protein in the HIV life cycle?
It allows for cell attachment to the target cell
What is the primary mechanism of CD4 T-cell depletion in HIV infection?
All of the above
What is the result of sequence variation in HIV?
It leads to evasion of the immune response by HIV
What percentage of people living with HIV know their status according to the 95-95-95 targets by 2030?
95%
What is the role of the reverse transcriptase enzyme in HIV replication?
It converts the viral RNA into DNA
What is the global burden of HIV in terms of the number of people living with HIV?
Around 38 million
What is a major obstacle to further human development?
Malaria
What is a characteristic of the 'goldilocks' virus?
Low fatality rate but still fatal
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancy?
Decreased life expectancy
What is the result of increased confidence in children's survival rates?
Decreased fertility rate
What is a major driver of human and economic success?
Reducing the impact of infectious diseases
What is a major challenge in beating malaria in the tropics?
Warm and wet climate
What is the effect of Nef deleted virus on T-cell loss?
Limits T-cell loss
What is the consequence of mucosal depletion of CD4 T-cells?
Increased microbial translocation
Which receptor is more widely expressed on T cells, compared to CCR5?
CXCR4
What is the characteristic of individuals who are elite controllers?
They have a slower disease progression
What is the effect of HIV RNA on the immune response?
It activates TLR7/8
What is the consequence of co-infection with CMV?
Expansion of CMV-specific activated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells
What is the primary location where the parasite migrates to after being injected into the skin?
Liver
What is the stage of the malaria life cycle where asexual reproduction occurs?
Blood stage
What is the protein encoded by the var gene?
PfEMP1
What is the primary role of the female Anopheles mosquito in the malaria life cycle?
Definitive host
What is the stage of the malaria life cycle where sexual reproduction occurs?
Mosquito stage
What is the primary cause of death in malaria?
Anemia
What is the primary reason for the emergence of HRP2 gene deletions?
Selection pressure due to the use of HRP2-based RDTs
What is the function of the circumsporozoite antigen in the RTS,S vaccine?
To stimulate an immune response against the sporozoite
What is the consequence of using HRP2-RDTs in areas where HRP2 gene deletions are prevalent?
False negatives and poor clinical management
What is the significance of the pfHRP2 protein in malaria diagnosis?
It is a marker for disease severity and mortality
What is the purpose of the hepatitis B surface antigen in the RTS,S vaccine?
To provide protection against hepatitis B
What is the effect of boiloster shots on the RTS,S vaccine's efficacy against severe malaria?
It enhances the vaccine's efficacy against severe malaria
What is the common motif found in the N-terminal sequences of exported proteins?
RXLX
What percentage of exported genes are essential for the growth of the parasite?
25%
What is the role of the PEXEL protein-export translocon?
To connect various functions of exported proteins
What is the function of proteins involved in protein refolding?
To help refold other proteins
What is the result of a knockout screen of 51 exported proteins?
Revelation of proteins with virulence and survival roles
What is the significance of the ER entry sequence in protein export?
It is necessary for protein export
Test your knowledge on the pathogenesis of malaria, including cerebral malaria, severe anaemia, and placental malaria. Learn about the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and how they cause disease in humans.
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