Platelets and microparticles in cerebral malaria: the unusual suspects

Abstract

Platelets and microparticles might have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria by assisting in the binding of infected erythrocytes to the cerebral vasculature and mediating numerous inflammatory and immune processes. The present review compiles a selection of the recent findings on their interactions with microvascular endothelium, infected erythrocytes and immune cells that may influence the development of cerebral malaria.