Turning up the heat: heat stress induces markers of programmed cell death in Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

ABSTRACT: Malaria is characterised by cyclical febrile episodes that result from the rupture of mature schizont-infected erythrocytes releasing merozoites. In patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum, fever may reach peak temperatures as high as 41 °C. Febrile episodes typically have a deleterious effect on parasites and probably benefit the host by aiding parasite clearance; however, the parasite may also gain advantage from limiting its burden on the host and prolonging infection to ensure development and transmission of slow-maturing gametocytes. Programmed cell death (PCD) may provide the parasite with a mechanism of self-limitation, although the occurrence and phenotype of PCD in the erythrocytic stages remain controversial due to conflicting data. This study aimed to characterise the cell

SUBMITTER: Engelbrecht D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3877572 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature