Cell cycle distribution of erythroblasts in P. falciparum malaria

The cell cycle distribution of the erythroblasts of 6 Gambian children with P. falciparum malaria was determined using the technique of combined Feulgen microspectrophotometry and 3H-thymidine autoradiography. The data showed evidence of a perturbation of erythroblast kinetics in all 6 children. The abnormalities were more marked in the children with chronic malaria than in those with acute malaria and predominantly affected the early polychromatic erythroblasts. The disturbances observed in chronic malaria included an increased proportion of cells in the G2 phase and an arrest during the progress of some cells through the S phase. The latter defect was not seen in the children with acute malaria.