**7. Erythrocyte stage**

After entering the erythrocyte, the merozoite lose one of their members, the apical rings, conoid and the rhopteries. Phagotropy commences and both smooth and granular endoplasmic reticulum because prominent. The nucleus may become lobulated.[16]

Within the erythrocytes the merozoite grow first to a ring-shaped form and then to a larger trophozoite form. In the schizont stage, the parasite divides several times to produce new merozoites. Which leave the red blood cells and travel within the bloodstream to invade new red blood cells. The parasite feeds by ingesting hemoglobin and other materials from red blood cells and serum. The feeding process damages the erythrocytes. Details of process have not been studied in species other than *Plasmodium falciparum.* so generalization may be premature at this time.

Erythrocytes infected by *Plasmodium falciparum* tend to form clumps – rosettes – and these have been linked to pathology caused by vascular occlusion. This rosette formation may be inhibited by heparin. This agent has been used in the past as part of the treatment of malaria but was abandoned because of an increased risk of haemorrhage. Low molecular weight heparin also disrupts rosette formation and may have a lower risk of bleeding in malaria.[17]
