Low-Level Plasmodium falciparum Blood-Stage Infection Causes Dendritic Cell Apoptosis and Dysfunction in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Plasmodium causes DC loss in vivo, which is at least partially explained by apoptosis in response to blood-stage parasites. In primary infection, loss of DC number and function occurs early during the prepatent period and before or with onset of clinical symptoms. These findings may explain in part the inadequate development of immunity to blood-stage malaria infection.