Role of Platelet-Mediated Cytoadherence and Chemokines Release in Severe Malaria

platelets mediated damage encompasses each class of malaria syndromes i.e. SMA, CM, PM and MALI. It has been suggested that platelets play a dual role [1] participating in parasite clearance by activation of the hosts’ innate immune system and releasing platelet-specific chemokines such as CXCL4/PF4 and RANTES and [2] by activating an exaggerated innate immune response. The latter is usually a consequence of specific immune responses leading to clear the parasite from peripheral blood and causing tissue and microvessel damage in the host.