Abnormal blood flow and red blood cell deformability in severe malaria

Obstruction of the microcirculation plays a central role in the pathophysiology of severe malaria. Here, Arjen Dondorp and colleagues describe the various contributors to impaired microcirculatory flow in falciparum malaria: sequestration, rosetting and recent findings regarding impaired red blood cell deformability. The correlation with clinical findings and possible therapeutic consequences are discussed.