Hypothesis on the mechanism of erythrocyte invasion by malaria merozoites.

Plasmodium knowlesi merozoites invade erythrocytes by a sequence of events: attachment, widespread deformation of the erythrocyte membrane, endocytosis, and resealing of the membrane and vesicle. The possible mechanisms by which these events occur are discussed. In particular, there is a detailed discussion of the role of the Duffy blood group system in invasion.