Case 129. Malaria, malignant (cerebral) (60 y-o M)

　 　 　 　
　 Japanese photographer who traveled in Kenya, presenting high fever, jaundice and consciouness disturbanc 　
　 　 　 　

　

 　 The red cell infected with a trophozoite of Plasmodium falciparum reveals formation of multiple "knobs" on the surface (Electron micrograph). The infected red cell adheres to the endothelial cell via adhesion molecules specifically expressed on the knobs. This explains the reason why the red cells with trophozoites of P. falciparum do not appear in the peripheral blood.