Re-infection of the mosquito
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| Gametogenesis and sexual replication |
Development within the the mosquito
When a mosquito feeds from a malaria infected hosts, the blood meal will contain parasites of all formas, but importantly including male and female gametocytes. The pH and temperature changes with the mosquito stomach cause the gametocytes to gain full sexual maturity (gametogenesis). The male gametocyte then undergoes 3 cycles of division to generate 8 male sexual forms (gametes). These then 8 gamaetes then "break out" of the male microgametocytes in a process known as exflagellation, and fuse with the female gamete (derived from the macrogametocyte) then following successful fusion move to the next stage of development with the mosquito gut wall. Finally the parasite enter the salivary glands of the mosquito as sporozoites where a new infection can be initiated.
| Relevance to blood |