Hyperthermia in Rabbits from Injection of Malaria Infected Erythrocytes in the Pre-optic Area

Abstract

MALARIA, when introduced naturally by the bite of an anopheline mosquito, goes through an exoerythrocytic stage in the parenchymal cells of the liver. Here the malarial parasite matures to a mature merozoite that infects erythrocytes. When the parasite has multiplied, the red blood cell bursts and many new infective merozoites are released. These infect new erythrocytes. During lysis of erythrocytes the host develops a fever¹. It is not known whether the malarial parasite produces a pyrogen, like bacteria, or whether the malarial fever results from destruction of red blood cells.