Plasmodium yoelii

Plasmodium yoelii (pronunciation: plaz-MO-dee-um YO-lee-eye) is a species of parasitic protozoa that belongs to the genus Plasmodium. It is known for causing malaria in rodents, particularly in mice, and is often used in scientific research to understand the pathology and immunology of malaria.

Etymology

The species is named after Dr. Saul Yoeli, who first identified it in the thicket rat in the Congo in 1937. The genus name, Plasmodium, comes from the Greek words "plasma" (meaning "mold") and "eidos" (meaning "form"), referring to the amoeboid appearance of the parasite in its motile stages.

Life Cycle

Like all Plasmodium species, P. yoelii has a complex life cycle involving an insect vector (the Anopheles mosquito) and a vertebrate host (rodents). The parasite undergoes sexual reproduction in the mosquito and asexual reproduction in the rodent host.

Pathology

Infection with P. yoelii can cause severe anemia, hypoglycemia, and splenomegaly in rodents. The severity of the disease can vary depending on the strain of P. yoelii and the immune status of the host.

Research Use

P. yoelii is widely used in research as a model organism to study the biology of Plasmodium species and the pathogenesis of malaria. It has contributed significantly to our understanding of the immune response to malaria and the development of potential vaccines and therapeutics.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Plasmodium yoelii
Wikipedia's article - Plasmodium yoelii

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Plasmodium yoelii