Characteristics of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ transport in human erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum

Human red cells infected in vitro with Plasmodium falciparum showed a significant increase in the rate of both ouabain-sensitive and aouabain-insensitive ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx. The inrease in ouabain-insensitive ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx was due, in part, increased transport via a bumetanide-sensitive system and, in part to transport via a pathway that was absent (or at least inactive) in uninfected cells. The parasite-induced pathway was inhibited by piperine and had a dose response very similar to that of the Gardo's channel of uninfected cells but was less sensitive than the Gardos channel to inhibition by quinine.