Preprint
MaRNAV-1, an intracellular virus of Plasmodium vivax , is associated with increased parasite transmission and altered host immune response
bioRxiv
28 May 2026
PMID: 41929037
Abstract
MaRNAV-1 is an RNA virus recently identified in Plasmodium vivax-infected samples, but definitive evidence that it infects the parasite and influences malaria pathogenesis remains unknown.
Here, we demonstrate that MaRNAV-1 is an intracellular virus that is present in P. vivax at various stages of its life cycle, including blood, sporozoite, and liver stages. Viral prevalence varied geographically between Cambodian and Ethiopian parasites. MaRNAV-1 presence and load were positively associated with parasite transmission potential, as reflected by increased gametocyte abundance and higher oocyst prevalence and intensity in membrane feeding assays. MaRNAV-1 loads were higher in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic infections, and higher MaRNAV-1 loads were associated with elevated body temperature, independently of parasitemia. MaRNAV-1 infection elicits an antibody response and is associated with dendritic cell activation, a shift from Th2 to a Th1-driven immune response, and an increased frequency of double-negative B cells. Accordingly, MaRNAV-1-infected patients had higher concentrations of circulating cytokines, such as IFN-γ, CXCL10, IL-1RA, and IL-6, independently of parasitemia.
Together, these findings demonstrate that MaRNAV-1 is a genuine parasite-infecting virus associated with increased parasite transmission potential and with modulation of clinical outcomes in, and host immune response to, P. vivax infections. Our study broadens the conventional view of host-pathogen interactions in malaria by revealing complex virus-parasite-host relationships.
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Details
- Title
- MaRNAV-1, an intracellular virus of Plasmodium vivax , is associated with increased parasite transmission and altered host immune response
- Creators
- Dynang Seng - InsermKatie Ko - University of Maryland, BaltimoreAgnes Orban - InsermSokleap Heng - InsermLionel Brice Feufack-Donfack - InsermJanne Grünebast - University of Maryland, BaltimoreNisa Ya - Institut Pasteur du CambodgeFranck Dumetz - Institut Pasteur du CambodgeKieran Tebben - University of Maryland, BaltimoreTiziano Vignolini - InsermGregory Dore - InsermNimol Khim - Institut PasteurJeremy Salvador - InsermZainab Ouaid - InsermThierry Lefèvre - Institut Pasteur du CambodgeAnna Cohuet - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueCecile Sommen - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueClaude Flamand - Institut Pasteur du CambodgeAnthony A Ruberto - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueAbnet Abebe - Florida State UniversityMeshesha Tsigie - Ethiopian Public Health InstituteGeremew Tasew - Ethiopian Public Health InstituteGetachew Tollera - Ethiopian Public Health InstituteBenoit Malleret - Ethiopian Public Health InstituteTassew Tefera Shenkutie - Drexel UniversityEugenia Lo - Drexel UniversityNicholas M Anstey - Charles Darwin UniversityMary E Petrone - The University of SydneyTineke Cantaert - National University of SingaporeSebastian Baumgarten - Charles Darwin UniversityDavid Serre - The University of SydneyJean Popovici - Institut Pasteur
- Publication Details
- bioRxiv
- Publisher
- United States
- Number of pages
- 44
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Other Identifier
- 991022192518804721