Extracellular Vesicles in Malaria Infection

Abstract

Malaria is one of the tropical diseases which cause high rate of morbidity and mortality. The disease is caused
by the infection of protozoan parasites in the genus Plasmodium. The severe syndromes of malaria infection arise
from the complex sequences of parasite-host interactions. It starts with parasite invasion and followed by the rupture
of infected red blood cells causing the release of parasite products that activate the host immune response. During
the past decade, research on the functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in many diseases including malaria has
increased dramatically. This article reviews the role of EVs in malaria immunopathogenesis. Investigations into
modulators in immune response, ubiquitous mechanism for intercellular communication between parasite-parasite
and parasite-host, as well as its usefulness as the diagnostic biomarkers are highlighted.