Cytoadherence
P. falciparum malaria is associated with the highest mortality rate of the malarial pathogens and has the potential to cause more severe disease.
This is due to its ability to manipulate the surface proteins of parasitised red cells and make them 'more sticky'.
These sticky red cells then attach to other red cells or endothelial surfaces by a process called Cytoadherence.
This leads to vascular occlusion, ischaemia and further inflammation and is thought to be an important contributor to P. falciparum complications and mortality.
