Presence of anti-RBC antibodies correlates with parasitaemia and once-infected RBCs but not the extent of post-malaria haemolysis

In a cohort of patients treated with oral artemisinin combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria, the presence of anti-red blood cell (RBC) auto-antibodies does not correlate with the extent of post-treatment haemolysis. Patients with positive antibody screening test on d14 had higher initial parasitaemia and a higher number of once-infected RBCs throughout follow-up.