Platelets inhibit erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum at physiological platelet:erythrocyte ratios.

We have shown that under physiological P:E ratios (approx. 1:10-1:40), platelets inhibited P. falciparum invasion in a dose-dependent manner. At ratios of 1:10 and below, platelets did not further increase the inhibitory effect and, although the trend was reversed, inhibition was still maintained.