In vitro assays for the study of erythrocyte invasion by malarial parasites

In vitro assays for the study o f erythrocyte invasion by merozoites are available for several primate and rodent malarial species. These assays are essential means by which potential anti-merozoite vaccine candidates are identified. John Dalton, John McNally and Susan O'Donovan describe the various types of invasion assays that are in current use, outline the procedures for performing these assays and add some pointers on interpretation of data derived from them.