Premature removal of uninfected erythrocytes during malarial infection of normal and immunodeficient mice

Anaemia during blood‐stage plasmodial infections is known to be due to at least three mechanisms: direct destruction of erythrocytes by the intra‐erythrocytic parasite, inhibition of erythropoiesis, and premature removal of uninfected erythrocytes. The removal of the uninfected erythrocytes is considered by many to be dependent on an antibody‐mediated mechanism. Our investigations involving normal, severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) and nude BALB/c mice and the murine malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii, indicate that this mechanism is unlikely. The process of removal of uninfected erythrocytes was reduced in SCID mice but could not be enhanced by the passive transfer of serum from infected immunocompetent mice. Macrophage activation, as judged by the removal of xenogeneic erythrocytes, did not differ in the three strains of mice. Changes in the erythrocytes themselves may be responsible for their shortened lifespan.