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Figure 3 | Malaria Journal

Figure 3

From: Plasmodium falciparum malaria and invasive bacterial co-infection in young African children: the dysfunctional spleen hypothesis

Figure 3

Plasmodium falciparum and invasive bacterial co-infection in the human spleen. The marginal zone (MZ) during P. falciparum malaria is dissolved, therefore lacking its most important armamentarium against encapsulated bacteria. The red pulp (RP) macrophages phagocytic capacity is overload by erythrophagocytosis, and in the presence of infected erythrocytes, macrophages will deficiently phagocytose bacteria. Bacteria replicate rapidly causing bacteraemia. (MØ) macrophages; (VS) venous sinuses. Penicilli and perifollicular zone (PFz) were not incorporated into this Figure.

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