On cytoadhesion of Plasmodium vivax: raison d'être?

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2011 Aug:106 Suppl 1:79-84. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762011000900010.

Abstract

It is generally accepted that Plasmodium vivax, the most widely distributed human malaria parasite, causes mild disease and that this species does not sequester in the deep capillaries of internal organs. Recent evidence, however, has demonstrated that there is severe disease, sometimes resulting in death, exclusively associated with P. vivax and that P. vivax-infected reticulocytes are able to cytoadhere in vitro to different endothelial cells and placental cryosections. Here, we review the scarce and preliminary data on cytoadherence in P. vivax, reinforcing the importance of this phenomenon in this species and highlighting the avenues that it opens for our understanding of the pathology of this neglected human malaria parasite.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Erythrocytes / physiology
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Vivax / parasitology*
  • Malaria, Vivax / pathology
  • Plasmodium vivax / pathogenicity*
  • Plasmodium vivax / physiology