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Strain theory of malaria: the first 50 years.

Publication ,  Journal Article
McKenzie, FE; Smith, DL; O'Meara, WP; Riley, EM
Published in: Adv Parasitol
2008

From the 1920s to the 1970s, a large body of principles and evidence accumulated about the existence and character of 'strains' among the Plasmodium species responsible for human malaria. An extensive research literature examined the degree to which strains were autonomous, stable biological entities, distinguishable by clinical, epidemiological or other features, and how this knowledge could be used to benefit medical and public health practice. Strain theory in this era was based largely on parasite phenotypes related to clinical virulence, reactions to anti-malarial drugs, infectivity to mosquitoes, antigenic properties and host immunity, latency and relapse. Here we review the search for a definition of 'strain', suggest how the data and discussion shaped current understandings of many aspects of malaria and sketch a number of specific connections with perspectives from the past 30 years.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Adv Parasitol

DOI

ISSN

0065-308X

Publication Date

2008

Volume

66

Start / End Page

1 / 46

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Virulence
  • Species Specificity
  • Plasmodium
  • Mycology & Parasitology
  • Malaria
  • Humans
  • Antimalarials
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Anopheles
  • Animals
 

Citation

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McKenzie, F. E., Smith, D. L., O’Meara, W. P., & Riley, E. M. (2008). Strain theory of malaria: the first 50 years. Adv Parasitol, 66, 1–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-308X(08)00201-7
McKenzie, F Ellis, David L. Smith, Wendy P. O’Meara, and Eleanor M. Riley. “Strain theory of malaria: the first 50 years.Adv Parasitol 66 (2008): 1–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-308X(08)00201-7.
McKenzie FE, Smith DL, O’Meara WP, Riley EM. Strain theory of malaria: the first 50 years. Adv Parasitol. 2008;66:1–46.
McKenzie, F. Ellis, et al. “Strain theory of malaria: the first 50 years.Adv Parasitol, vol. 66, 2008, pp. 1–46. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/S0065-308X(08)00201-7.
McKenzie FE, Smith DL, O’Meara WP, Riley EM. Strain theory of malaria: the first 50 years. Adv Parasitol. 2008;66:1–46.
Journal cover image

Published In

Adv Parasitol

DOI

ISSN

0065-308X

Publication Date

2008

Volume

66

Start / End Page

1 / 46

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Virulence
  • Species Specificity
  • Plasmodium
  • Mycology & Parasitology
  • Malaria
  • Humans
  • Antimalarials
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Anopheles
  • Animals