Link to Pubmed [PMID] – 34453537
Link to DOI – 10.1093/infdis/jiab431
J Infect Dis 2022 05; 225(9): 1621-1625
We adapted the RNA FISH Stellaris method to specifically detect the expression of Plasmodium genes by flow cytometry and ImageStream (Flow-FISH). This new method accurately quantified the erythrocytic forms of (1) Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax and (2) the sexual stages of P vivax from patient isolates. ImageStream analysis of liver stage sporozoites using a combination of surface circumsporozoite protein (CSP), deoxyribonucleic acid, and 18S RNA labeling proved that the new Flow-FISH is suitable for gene expression studies of transmission stages. This powerful multiparametric single-cell method offers a platform of choice for both applied and fundamental research on the biology of malaria parasites.