How do merozoites infect red blood cells during malaria?

In the pathology of malaria, the infection of red blood cells by merozoites is a critical stage of the parasite's life cycle. After sporozoites are injected into the human bloodstream by an infected Anopheles mosquito, they travel to the liver. Within liver cells, they multiply into thousands of merozoites.12

Once these merozoites are released from the liver back into the bloodstream, they actively invade red blood cells. Inside these cells, the parasites grow and undergo further asexual division. This rapid multiplication eventually leads to the rupture and destruction of the red blood cells, which releases a new generation of merozoites to infect additional healthy red blood cells.12

This synchronized cycle of invasion, growth, and rupture is responsible for the characteristic periodic chills and fever associated with the disease. The destruction of red blood cells also leads to anemia and places significant strain on the spleen, which must work to remove the damaged cells.2