Platelet cytotoxicity against parasites.

Platelets are not restricted to hemostasis and thrombosis since they are involved in defence mechanisms especially in parasitic diseases. They express cytotoxic functions in vitro and in vivo against extra-cellular and intra-cellular parasites. The toxic process is mediated either by specific antibodies or directly by the parasite itself. As some metabolic pathways seem to be implicated both in hemostasis and in parasiticidal activity, primary hemostasis and cytotoxicity may be considered as specialized inflammatory responses.