Malaria and the red cell: pathways for entry

摘要

Malaria parasites, of the genus Plasmodium, belong to a phylum of protozoan parasites called the Apicomplexa, and infect rodents, reptiles, birds, and primates. The term apicomplexa is derived from the complex grouping of organelles located at the apical end of the merozoite (invasive) stage of these parasites. These organelles are composed of micronemes, rhoptries and dense bodies, and the proteins contained within them are involved in the invasion of the parasite into the host cell. Apicomplexan parasites of veterinary importance include toxoplasma, babesia, cryptosporidium, eimeria, sarcocystis, haemoproteus, leukocytozoon, theileria, cytauxzoon felis and avian malaria.