Virulence of plasmodium yoelii line YM is caused by altered preference for parasitized and unparasitized immature and mature erythrocytes.
In the phase of beginning and continuing nearly complete parasitization of all immature erythrocytes and marked multiple parasitization of immature erythrocytes, less merozoites of the virulent type are lost in the population of parasitized and unparasitized immature erythrocytes, more merozoites invade mature erythrocytes. This behaviour determines the rapidly lethal course of the infection. It appears to be related to altered properties of the merozoite surface. Virulent parasites do not show altered ability to develop in mature erythrocytes.
D000818:Animals; D002999:Clone Cells; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D051379:Mice; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence