Platelet-induced autoagglutination of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells and disease severity in Thailand

J Infect Dis. 2004 Mar 15;189(6):1052-5. doi: 10.1086/381900. Epub 2004 Feb 27.

Abstract

The relationship of the platelet-mediated autoagglutination of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (IRBCs) to disease severity was investigated in 182 Thai patients with falciparum malaria; it was evident in 43% of uncomplicated malaria (n=63), 41% of severe malaria (n=104), and 100% of cerebral malaria (n=15; P=.001) isolates. The median (range) number of IRBCs in agglutinates per 1000 IRBCs was significantly higher in cerebral malaria (6 [3-42]) than in severe (0 [0-52]) and uncomplicated (0 [0-24]) malaria (P=.01). In multivariate analyses, high parasitemia and cerebral malaria were associated independently with parasite agglutination.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agglutination
  • Blood Platelets / physiology*
  • CD36 Antigens / physiology
  • Erythrocyte Aggregation*
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / blood*
  • Rosette Formation
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • CD36 Antigens