Plasmodium falciparum field isolates use complement receptor 1 (CR1) as a receptor for invasion of erythrocytes

► We studied a genetically diverse group of Kenyan isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. ► All isolates invaded erythrocytes in a sialic acid (SA)-independent manner. ► CR1 inhibitors blocked more than 75% of the SA-independent invasion. ► CR1 is the receptor for SA-independent invasion in field isolates of P. falciparum.