New findings about immune system reaction to malaria and sickle cell disease

(University of Exeter) The researchers discovered that sugars called mannoses are expressed on the surfaces of both red blood cells infected with malarial parasites and also affected by sickle cell disease. The mannoses cause both infected cells and sickle cells to be eaten in the spleen.The team hope the findings will eventually help inform new treatments for malaria.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news