How does Malaria Affect the Red Blood Cell

The malaria parasite does not immediately affect the red blood cells after infecting a person. Instead, it travels to the liver and destroy the liver cells to stay in them. They stay there for 5 to 16 days to develop into merzoites, the red blood cell invading parasites. These merzoites enter the red blood cells and multiply rapidly. Ultimately the infected red blood cell bursts releasing many more merzoites that enter other red blood cells. The symptoms of malaria start showing in a person as soon as the parasites enter red blood cells and worsens with multiplication.

A study carried out by several medical research institutes and hospitals all over the world, published in the July 11th issue of the Science Daily journal has revealed that a multitude of proteins produced by malaria parasites help it to seize and alter the red blood cells. It leaves the cells carrying oxygen stiff and sticky. Such a destructive impact on the red blood cells is mainly responsible for the severe complications of malaria, which is fatal for millions of people every year worldwide.

In particular, the Plasmodium falciparum species of malaria parasite is most dangerous. The merzoites formed after infection from this parasite changes the red blood cells structurally. These parasitized blood cells stick to the blood vessels which is not normal for red blood cells. This is brought about by some proteins released by the malaria parasite which produces such effect on the red blood cells.

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