P. falciparum

P. falciparum causes cerebral malaria which is often fatal, extremely high temperature is associated with convulsions and coma. Infected erythrocytes adhere to capillary endothelial cells. Erythrocytes become knobbly, as a result of parasite proteins exported to the membrane, these bind to ligands on host cells. Blackwater fever: massive lysis of erythrocytes causes high levels of free haemoglobin in the blood and renal failure.