Insights into virus and parasite interplay with host during infection and co-infection scenario

Abstract

Co-infections involving multiple pathogens are being recognized as a significant contributor influencing the disease pattern [1]. In malaria-endemic regions, along with malaria parasite, people often get exposed to several other pathogens. Previous studies have shown the transmission and co-infection cases of various viral pathogens with malaria. In malaria-positive individuals, underlying viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may get triggered at the cellular level and develop an opportunistic infection [2]. The malaria parasite (Plasmodium), which infects host erythrocytes, can take the benefit of coinfecting agents that could increase their infectivity, transmission, or sequestration by modulating the host system [3]. Cerebral malaria (CM) is one of the most fatal forms of P. falciparum malaria. The CM symptoms tend to arise due to the insult of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB maintains the transport of selective molecules between the circulatory and central nervous systems. The integral component in forming the BBB is cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (ECs). These are further supported by astrocytes, microglia, and neuronal cells for maintaining the proper function of BBB [4]. ECs are targeted for infection by a variety of pathogens, including several herpes viruses. Human herpesvirus (HHV)-1, HHV-5 [5], and HHV-8 [6] have the potency to infect the ECs. Moreover, EBV which is also known as HHV-4 has also shown infectivity for ECs in previous reports [7].