Extracellular vesicles, from pathogenesis to biomarkers: The case for cerebral malaria

Abstract

Malaria infections due to the Plasmodium parasite remains a major global health problem. Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for majority of the severe cases, resulting in more than 400,000 deaths per annum . Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by vascular cells, including parasitised erythrocytes, have been detected with increased levels in patients with malaria. EVs are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of severe malaria, particularly cerebral malaria, and represent a unique molecular signature for different forms of the infection. In this review, we will cover the known effects of EVs on the vasculature and discuss their potential use as a biomarker of disease severity.