Accelerated RBC turnover during severe malarial anemia. (A) Survival of the circulating RBC population biotinylated on the day of patency in semi-immune mice infected with P berghei (▪) and Hb levels (▵). Basal turnover of biotinylated RBCs in noninfected mice is shown in inset (□). Cell survival was monitored by flow cytometry and is expressed as a percentage change in total number of initial biotinylated RBCs. n = 4 ± SEM. (B) Representative flow cytometry profile of biotinylated RBCs in (i) an infected semi-immune mouse and (ii) naive resting control mouse on days 0 (day of labeling) and 8 after patency. (C) Survival of circulating RBC populations in naive rats, biotinylated on day 6 (•), day 10 (□), and day 13 (▴) after patency. Basal turnover of biotinylated RBCs in uninfected rats is shown in inset (○). Cell survival was monitored by flow cytometry and is expressed as a percentage change in total number of initial biotinylated RBCs. n = 3 ± SEM per group.