Cytoadherence and Rosetting in the Pathogenesis of Severe Malaria Mats Wahlgren, Carl lohan Treutiger and lurg Gysin

About 1 % out of the 120 million new P. Jalciparwn infections that occur globally each year have been estimated to be complicated by severe manifestations leading to death. This gives an annual incidence of about 1-2 million cases (WHO, 1992) corresponding to one death due to malaria every 15-30 seconds (Greenwood et al. , 1987). Although an astonishing figure it is most likely an underestimation as under-reporting is common in the most affected areas where the primary health care is inadequate or non-existent.