Abstract
The invasive blood stage of malaria parasites, merozoites, are complex entities specialized for the capture and entry of red blood cells. Their potential for vaccination and other anti-malaria strategies have attracted much research attention over the last 40 years, and there is now a considerable body of data relating to their biology. In this article some of the major advances over this period and remaining challenges are reviewed.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Erythrocytes / parasitology*
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Host-Parasite Interactions*
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Malaria / parasitology
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Merozoites / growth & development
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Merozoites / physiology*
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Merozoites / ultrastructure
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Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
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Plasmodium falciparum / pathogenicity
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Plasmodium falciparum / physiology*
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Plasmodium falciparum / ultrastructure
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Plasmodium knowlesi / growth & development
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Plasmodium knowlesi / pathogenicity
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Plasmodium knowlesi / physiology*
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Plasmodium knowlesi / ultrastructure