Cerebral lesions in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei are the result of an immunopathological reaction

Cerebral lesions in mice with Plasmodium berghei infections can be prevented by timely treatment with immune serum, by splenectomy, and by administration of dexamethasone. T cell deficient mice do not develop cerebral lesions. The results of these studies are compatible with the hypothesis that a pathological reaction is responsible for development of cerebral lesions in mice infected with P. berghei.