'Plasmodium falciparum' and Red Cell Polymorphisms

For malaria parasites to survive in the mammalian host, the merozoite stage of Plasmodium falciparum must recognise and attach to the host red cell. It must then successfully enter the cell and replicate. Invasion is a highly complex, multistep process and it has been demonstrated that P. falciparum can utilise alternative pathways for invasion of red blood cells. Although many proteins play an important role in invasion, their functional characteristics remain unclear. Erythrocyte blood group antigens are polymorphic, inherited, carbohydrate or protein structures located on the extracellular surface of the red blood cell membrane. We review the current state of knowledge about receptor/ligand interactions and the relationships between red cell polymorphisms and protection against malaria.