Plasmodium vivax hypnozoite liver-stage

Plasmodium vivax hypnozoite liver-stage refers to the dormant form of the P. vivax parasite that resides within human hepatocytes and can persist for weeks, months, or even years after a primary infection, causing malaria relapses when activated. Hypnozoites are biologically quiescent yet retain some active cellular processes, making them a therapeutic target for radical cure strategies. Current knowledge of their molecular biology remains limited due to difficulties in in vitro culture and study, but specific biomarkers including the Liver-Specific Protein 2 (LISP2) and host factors (such as aquaporin-3) have been identified as functionally important. Eradication of this life stage is vital for malaria control, and drugs targeting hypnozoites (such as primaquine and tafenoquine) are critical but pose safety challenges, notably in G6PD-deficient individuals.

Other names

Plasmodium vivax hypnozoiteP. vivax dormant liver stageP. vivax liver-stage hypnozoiteP. vivax liver-stage

Anti-relapse drugs (8-aminoquinoline class: primaquine, tafenoquine) kill dormant hypnozoites and prevent relapse; Host AQP3 inhibitors (e.g., auphen) disrupt host-parasite interactions at the liver stage