Plasmodium falciparum: increased and multiple invasion during short periods of time

We describe how to obtain an increased merozoite invasion of Plasmodium falciparum into human erythrocytes during short periods of time. Using this procedure, infected erythrocytes show multiple invasions (2-4 merozoites per erythrocyte), amplifying, several times, the effects of parasite entry into host cells. The procedure yields synchronous cultures (2-h age range) with parasitemia as high as 15%. It is possible to reach parasitemia of 50% or higher allowing for a 6-h invasion period.