title: Is malarial anaemia homologous to neocytolysis after altitude acclimatisation?
abstract: Malaria patients frequently develop severe anaemia that can persist after Plasmodium infection has been cleared from the circulation. This puzzling phenomenon involves massive death of young uninfected erythrocytes at a time when parasitic infection is very low. We have observed striking similarities in erythrocyte homoeostasis during altitude acclimatisation and Plasmodium infection, both of which initially induce an increase in circulating erythropoietin (Epo). Decreasing levels of Epo after return to low altitudes induce the death of young erythrocytes, a phenomenon called neocytolysis. In a similar way, we propose that Epo, which peaks during acute malaria and decreases after parasite clearance, could be contributing to anaemia causing neocytolysis during recovery from Plasmodium infection.
authors: New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Division of Parasitology, 341 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010, USA.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Fernandez-Arias
authors: Universidad Carlos III, Department of Mathematics, Complex Systems Interdisciplinary Group, Av. de la Universidad 30, Leganes 28911, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Clemente F
authors: CF
authors: Arias
authors: New York University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Division of Parasitology, 341 E. 25th St., New York, NY 10010, USA. Electronic address: Ana.Rodriguez@nyumc.org.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D000531:Altitude; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology*; D016923:Cell Death; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin
keywords: Altitude acclimatisation; Anaemia; Malaria; Neocytolysis; Plasmodium