Spatial distribution of factors that determine sporogonic development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes

Mosquitoes transmit malaria, but only a few species permit the complete dev elopment and transmission of the parasite., Also, only a fraction of the in gested parasites develop in the vector. The attrition occurs in different c ompartments during the parasite's complex developmental scheme in the insec t. A number of factors, both physical and biochemical, that affect the deve lopment have been proposed or demonstrated. Each of these factors is locate d within a specific space in the insect. We have divided this space into si x compartments, which are distinct in their biochemical and biophysical nat ure: Endoperitrophic space, Peritrophic matrix, Ectopretrophic space, Midgu t epithelium, Haemocoel and Salivary gland. Because factors that influence a particular stage of parasite development share the same microenvironment within these compartments, they must be considered collectively to exploit them for designing effective transmission blocking strategies. In this arti cle we discuss these factors according to their spatial location in the mos quito. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.