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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting
Published on: May 16, 2013
[The blood platelets in parasitic diseases]
1Akademia Medyczna w Białymstoku, Zakład Laboratoryjnej Diagnostyki Klinicznej. matowic@amb.edu.pl
Abstract:
Parasitic invasions are the source of foreign antigens and exotoxins which trigger local or systemic inflammatory processes. Antibody-dependent cellular toxicity is the major antiparasitic defensive mechanism, with eosinophils as the effector cells. Macrophages, neutrophils and platelets develop the cytotoxic activity against antibody-coated parasites. Blood platelets participate in various stages of blood clotting, in sclerosis, coronary disease, neoplasms, inflammatory processes and in allergic and immune reactions. Blood platelets actively participate in defense mechanisms of the organism, e.g. in antiparasitic immunology. Platelet stimulation may be a result of direct contact with parasite, increase IgG and/or IgE concentration, the presence of complement components, CRP or lymphokins. Blood platelets reveal cytotoxic activity through release various inflammatory mediators, phagocytic activity and cooperation with other cells of immunologic system.
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