What characteristics of RBCs would make them a good host for a parasite to grow and multiply before they burst out of the cell?
Eduardo, a 46-year-old ecologist, returns from a field research excursion to a forested area in rural Thailand near the Cambodia border. He felt fine on his trip, other than being bothered by the buzzing and biting of mosquitoes and the exhaustion of working long days and nights. Approximately 4 weeks after his return, he seeks medical attention for flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, sweating, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. His laboratory blood test reveals he has increased numbers of white blood cells. His hematocrit is low. His skin color and the white parts of his eyes are yellow. He has a low platelet count.
Questions
6. What characteristics of RBCs would make them a good host for a parasite to grow and multiply before they burst out of the cell? Simply think about the things an organism would need to grow. RBC anatomy; RBC physiology