The role of reduced red cell deformability in the pathogenesis of severe falciparum malaria and its restoration by blood transfusion.

Journal article

As reduced red cell deformability (RCD) can contribute to derangement of the microcirculation, a central feature in the pathogenesis of severe malaria, RCD was measured with a laser diffraction technique in 232 consecutive patients with falciparum malaria on the Kenyan coast, of whom 99 had severe disease. RCD on admission (measured as elongation index [EI] at shear stress = 1.7 Pa) was reduced in proportion with severity of disease (fatal outcome: EI = 0.182 (SD = 0.048), survivors from seve...

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Authors: Dondorp, A; Nyanoti, M; Kager, P; Mithwani, S; Vreeken, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Volume: 96
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 282-286
• Publication date: 2002-01-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0035-9203(02)90100-8
• EISSN: 1878-3503
• ISSN: 0035-9203
• Language: English
• Keywords: Microcirculation; Treatment Outcome; Malaria, Falciparum; Child, Preschool; Humans; Erythrocyte Deformability; Anemia; Blood Transfusion