Malaria Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Malaria, including details on prevention, treatment, causes, mosquitoes.

The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria.

Cox D, McConkey S

Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. dcox@rcsi.ie

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world and cerebral malaria is responsible for the majority of malaria-associated deaths. There is a strong association between thrombocytopenia and outcome in malaria, suggesting a role for platelets in the pathogenesis of malaria. This thrombocytopenia is likely due to platelet activation possibly through an interaction between PfEMP1 on plasmodium and CD36 on platelets. Platelet activation by plasmodium has two potential consequences. It can lead to the formation of micro-aggregates of infected red blood cells and platelets which can occlude blood vessels and it also leads to binding to and activation of the endothelium.

Published 22 January 2010 in Cell Mol Life Sci, 67(4): 557-68.
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