Evidence of prostaglandin production by the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria kills about 2 million people every year bur the molecular mechanisms underlying clinical symptoms of the disease are not yet well understood. We found that Plasmodium falciparum produces prostaglandin (PG) D-2, E-2, and F-2 alpha. PG production is increased by the addition of arachidonic acid to the parasite cell culture and is not affected by aspirin or indomethacin. PGD(2) and PGE(2) accumulate in the culture medium at the stages of trophozoites and schizonts. As PGD(2) and PGE(2) are somnogenic, pyrogenic, and immunosuppressive substances in mammals, parasite-produced PGs may, in part, be involved in the clinical manifestation of malaria.