The malaria merozoite, forty years on.
The invasive blood stage of malaria parasites, merozoites, are complex entities specialized for the capture and entry of red blood cells. Their potential for vaccination and other anti-malaria strategies have attracted much research attention over the last 40 years, and there is now a considerable body of data relating to their biology. In this article some of the major advances over this period and remaining challenges are reviewed.
Bannister
L H
LH
Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, UK. Lawrencelban@aol.com
Mitchell
G H
GH
D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008288:Malaria / Q000469:parasitology; D052940:Merozoites / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016790:Plasmodium knowlesi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure