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Infested with malaria

Michael Mosley from 'Infested' investigates the parasite Plasmodium that carries malaria. This disease kills more than half a million people per year. Michael Mosley gives a sample of his blood to the National Institute for Medical Research. They infect his blood with Plasmodium and watch under a microscope as this parasite infects his red blood cells. When mature the parasite causes the host’s red blood cells to burst to release more parasites. This dramatic footage is seen. This often leads to anaemia and death. Michael Mosley then describes how infected mosquitos have a better sense of smell than unaffected ones.

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Duration:

4 minutes

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