Extracellular methemoglobin primes red blood cell aggregation in malaria: An in vitro mechanistic study

► Methemoglobin exposure causes RBC aggregation. ► The high order aggregates are irreversible and resistant to physical disaggregation. ► Oxidative insult to RBC causes PS externalization to initiate and form aggregates. ► Antioxidant treatment especially inhibits high order RBC aggregate formation. ► Potentials of antioxidant to over-come RBC aggregation in malaria is discussed.