The Course of Plasmodium berghei Infection in the Polycythemic Mouse

Abstract

The erythrocytic forms of P. berghei are reported to have a predilection for infecting young red cells in rodents. In an attempt to clarify the role of immature red cells, P. berghei infections were studied in the polycythemic mouse in which erythropoiesis was markedly inhibited. The infectivity of the parasite is directly related to the availability of immature red cells. The infection can be completely blocked even in the presence of a large population of mature red cells.