Gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum: phagocytosis by leucocytes in vivo and in vitro

Phagocytosis of the extracellular gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum has been demonstrated in vitro, and in vivo in the bloodmeal within the mosquito midgut. Up to 84% of the gametocytes were ingested within two hours in vitro, compared to 7% in the same period in the mosquito gut.