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Caveolae containing grape-like tubulovesicular structures were observed in the cytoplasm and in the parasitophorous vacuole of ring- and trophozoite-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. In appliqué-forms intact caveolae and free vesicles were also seen to bud off the surface of infected erythrocytes directly from the parasitophorous vacuole where the parasite was in close vicinity to the host cell membrane. The mean vesicle diameter was 0.08-0.1 micron. No such structure was observed in schizonts, segmenters or in the cytoplasm of infected or uninfected erythrocytes. These structures may represent morphological evidence in P. falciparum of a "window" through which the parasite would have direct access to the extracellular milieu. They may constitute carrier vesicles containing parasite membrane transport molecules possibly involved in malaria pathogenesis and/or immunity.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/s0020-7519(97)00083-0

Type

Journal article

Journal

International journal for parasitology

Publication Date

09/1997

Volume

27

Pages

1007 - 1012

Addresses

UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland. olliarop@who.ch

Keywords

Erythrocytes, Cell Membrane, Animals, Plasmodium falciparum, Biological Transport