Host kinase regulation of dormant and replicating liver stages.

Upon transmission to the liver, parasites form replicating schizonts, which continue to initiate blood-stage infection, or dormant hypnozoites that reactivate weeks to months after initial infection. phenotypes in the field vary significantly, including the ratio of schizonts to hypnozoites formed and the frequency and timing of relapse. Evidence suggests that both parasite genetics and environmental factors underly this heterogeneity.