Editing Pentose phosphate pathway (section)

==Erythrocytes==

Several deficiencies in the level of activity (not function) of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase have been observed to be associated with resistance to the malarial parasite ''[[Plasmodium falciparum]]'' among individuals of Mediterranean and African descent. The basis for this resistance may be a weakening of the red cell membrane (the erythrocyte is the host cell for the parasite) such that it cannot sustain the parasitic life cycle long enough for productive growth.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Cappadoro M, Giribaldi G, O'Brien E, etal |title=Early phagocytosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient erythrocytes parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum may explain malaria protection in G6PD deficiency |journal=Blood |volume=92 |issue=7 |pages=2527–34 |date=October 1998 |doi=10.1182/blood.V92.7.2527 |pmid=9746794 |doi-access=free }}</ref>