Stage-dependent fate of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells in the spleen and sickle-cell trait-related protection against malaria.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sickle-cell trait (HbAS) reduces falciparum malaria risk and suppresses parasitaemia. Although several candidate mechanisms have been proposed, their epidemiological, clinical and experimental correlates have not been adequately explained. To explore the basis for generally lower parasitaemias and delayed malaria episodes in children with HbAS, it is hypothesized here that their spleen-dependent removal of ring-infected red blood cells (RBCs) is more efficient than in children with normal haemoglobin A (HbAA).

Methods

The mechanical splenic retention of Plasmodium falciparum-infected RBCs from subjects with HbAS or HbAA was investigated using two physiologically relevant methods: microsphiltration and ex vivo spleen perfusion. P. falciparum-infected RBCs obtained

SUBMITTER: Diakite SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5031340 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature