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Malaria molecule makes blood extra-alluring to mosquitoes

Mix releases gases, chemicals that prompt insects to gorge on infectious meal

mosquito and malaria parasite

BLOODTHIRST  The Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite (right) produces a molecule that makes infected blood more attractive to Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes (left).

From left: James Gathany/CDC; Steven Glenn/Laboratory & Consultation Division/CDC

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

Malaria parasites seduce mosquitoes on the sly.

Plasmodium falciparum parasites produce a molecule that makes parasite-infected blood more attractive to malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, researchers report online February 9 in Science.