Relationship of alterations in splenic clearance function and microcirculation to host defense in acute rodent malaria.

During the course of Plasmodium berghei malaria in the rat, splenic clearance of damaged uninfected erythrocytes (heated or Heinz body-containing) underwent changes strikingly similar to those of infected erythrocytes. Splenic trapping of abnormal erythrocytes was impaired during the period of rising parasitemia but became supernormal just before the onset of resolution of the acute infection. These changes could be related to the development of splenomegaly and alterations in splenic cordal microcirculation during infection. The relative distribution of flow through the cords was decreased during rising parasitemia and was restored before the onset of resolution. Together, our observations support the hypothesis that altered rheologic properties of infected erythrocytes are a major determinant of their removal by the spleen. These data suggest that the alterations in splenic microcirculation that occur during malaria may have important implications for host defense.