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A possible virus disease of the malaria parasite
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CORRESPONDENCE REFERENCES
ANDERSON, R. I. (1963). Am. J. Hyg., Monogr. Ser. No. 22. OLIVER-GoNzALES, J. (1954). J. infect. Dis., 95, 86. RIVERA DE SALA, A., CANClO, M. & RODRIGUEZ-MOLINA, R. (1962). 11, 199.
Am. y. trop. Hyg.,
A POSSIBLE VIRUS DISEASE OF Tim MALARIA PARASITE SIR,raThe object of this letter is to draw attention to the fact that certain pieces of evidence, already available to the investigators, suggest the existence of what may be a virus disease of Plasmodium. Professor P. C. C. Garnham in his book on the malaria parasites (1966) has described with illustrations certain "crystalloids" bearing some resemblance tovirus particles, occurring in the oSkinetes of Plasmodium cynomolgi bastianellii. While earlier working in Professor Garnham's laboratory, I demonstrated (1958) abnormal oScysts of the same parasite. These abnormal oScysts harboured lumps of Feulgenpositive material in the form of conspicuous inclusion bodies. OScysts harbouring such inclusion bodies showed partial to total loss of nuclei. I have also speculated (DAsGIYPT~ 1959) that these inclusion bodies in the oScysts might represent viral elements. T h e "crystalloids" noted by Professor GARNI-IAM(1956) in the oSkinetes might actually represent virus particles, and this virus infection might culminate in the destruction of the o~cysts, which, before complete destruction, show Feulgen-positive inclusion bodies. Testing of this hypothesis should be of great practical significance, because a positive finding would prove the existence of a natural agent of destruction of the malaria parasite. I n a personal communication, Professor Garnham (1968) has stated that these "crystalloids" were certainly protein, and these occurred also in the early o~cysts. I am, etc., B. DASGUPTA. Zoology Department Government College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. 9 August, 1968 REFERENCES
DASOUI'TA, B. (1958). Trans. R. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 52, 9. , (1959). Quart..7. raicr. Sci., 100, 241. GARNH~, P. C. C. (1966). Malaria parasites and other Haemosporidia., Oxford, BlackweU. GEORGE M A C D O N A L D MEMORIAL F U N D Professor George Macdonald, who died on 10th December, 1967, was a man whose high intelligence, disciplined logical thinking and great powers of concentration, allied to a powerful personal/ty and great moral courage, made him one of the most dominant figures in the world of tropical medicine for more than twenty years. As one of the world's greatest authorities in the field of malariology, he played a paramount role in the shaping of the World Health Organization's strategy and tactics of malaria eradication. His more recent work covered also other subjects and his keen interest in the mathematical analysis of transmission of many communicable diseases opened a new phase in the progress of quantitative epidemiology. M u c h of his work was left unfinished but valuable notes that he left behind are now being sthdied and when edited will help to spread the influence of his thought. T o his inexhaustible energy and formidable intellectual powers there was added his great personal integrity, his humanity and his gentleness which so many who worked with him will remember. H e was always at the service of anyone---announced or unannounced - - w h o visited his office, and very many remember with slightly awed gratitude his concentration on their problems. It is felt that some permanent memorial should be established to such a distinguished teacher and scientist, and it is hoped to raise a sum of money with which to endow an annual prize for an 'important scientific or operational advance of tropical hygiene. Contributions to the George Macdonald Memorial F u n d should be sent to: T h e Dean, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street (Gower Street), London, W.C.I., marking it "Macdonald Memorial F u n d " .
CORRESPONDENCE REFERENCES
ANDERSON, R. I. (1963). Am. J. Hyg., Monogr. Ser. No. 22. OLIVER-GoNzALES, J. (1954). J. infect. Dis., 95, 86. RIVERA DE SALA, A., CANClO, M. & RODRIGUEZ-MOLINA, R. (1962). 11, 199.
Am. y. trop. Hyg.,
A POSSIBLE VIRUS DISEASE OF Tim MALARIA PARASITE SIR,raThe object of this letter is to draw attention to the fact that certain pieces of evidence, already available to the investigators, suggest the existence of what may be a virus disease of Plasmodium. Professor P. C. C. Garnham in his book on the malaria parasites (1966) has described with illustrations certain "crystalloids" bearing some resemblance tovirus particles, occurring in the oSkinetes of Plasmodium cynomolgi bastianellii. While earlier working in Professor Garnham's laboratory, I demonstrated (1958) abnormal oScysts of the same parasite. These abnormal oScysts harboured lumps of Feulgenpositive material in the form of conspicuous inclusion bodies. OScysts harbouring such inclusion bodies showed partial to total loss of nuclei. I have also speculated (DAsGIYPT~ 1959) that these inclusion bodies in the oScysts might represent viral elements. T h e "crystalloids" noted by Professor GARNI-IAM(1956) in the oSkinetes might actually represent virus particles, and this virus infection might culminate in the destruction of the o~cysts, which, before complete destruction, show Feulgen-positive inclusion bodies. Testing of this hypothesis should be of great practical significance, because a positive finding would prove the existence of a natural agent of destruction of the malaria parasite. I n a personal communication, Professor Garnham (1968) has stated that these "crystalloids" were certainly protein, and these occurred also in the early o~cysts. I am, etc., B. DASGUPTA. Zoology Department Government College, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. 9 August, 1968 REFERENCES
DASOUI'TA, B. (1958). Trans. R. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg., 52, 9. , (1959). Quart..7. raicr. Sci., 100, 241. GARNH~, P. C. C. (1966). Malaria parasites and other Haemosporidia., Oxford, BlackweU. GEORGE M A C D O N A L D MEMORIAL F U N D Professor George Macdonald, who died on 10th December, 1967, was a man whose high intelligence, disciplined logical thinking and great powers of concentration, allied to a powerful personal/ty and great moral courage, made him one of the most dominant figures in the world of tropical medicine for more than twenty years. As one of the world's greatest authorities in the field of malariology, he played a paramount role in the shaping of the World Health Organization's strategy and tactics of malaria eradication. His more recent work covered also other subjects and his keen interest in the mathematical analysis of transmission of many communicable diseases opened a new phase in the progress of quantitative epidemiology. M u c h of his work was left unfinished but valuable notes that he left behind are now being sthdied and when edited will help to spread the influence of his thought. T o his inexhaustible energy and formidable intellectual powers there was added his great personal integrity, his humanity and his gentleness which so many who worked with him will remember. H e was always at the service of anyone---announced or unannounced - - w h o visited his office, and very many remember with slightly awed gratitude his concentration on their problems. It is felt that some permanent memorial should be established to such a distinguished teacher and scientist, and it is hoped to raise a sum of money with which to endow an annual prize for an 'important scientific or operational advance of tropical hygiene. Contributions to the George Macdonald Memorial F u n d should be sent to: T h e Dean, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street (Gower Street), London, W.C.I., marking it "Macdonald Memorial F u n d " .