Dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages phagocytose pathogens and degrade them in 
their phagosomes to allow for proper presentation of foreign antigens to other 
cells of the immune system. The Plasmodium parasite, causative agent of malaria, 
infects RBC that are phagocytosed by DC and macrophages during the course of 
infection. Under specific conditions, the functionality of these cells can be 
affected by phagocytosis of Plasmodium-infected RBC. We investigated whether 
phagosomal maturation and degradation of Plasmodium yoelii-infected RBC in 
phagosomes is affected in DC and macrophages. We show that recruitment of the 
phagolysosomal marker Lamp-1 and of MHC-II, as well as acidification of 
phagosomes, was achieved in a timely manner. Using P. yoelii-infected RBC 
labelled with a fluorescent dye or transgenic green fluorescent protein 
(GFP)-expressing parasites, we found a gradual, rapid decrease in the phagosome 
fluorescence signal, indicating that P. yoelii-infected RBC are efficiently 
degraded in macrophages and DC. We also observed that pre-incubation of DC with 
infected RBC did not affect phagosomal maturation of newly internalized P. 
yoelii-infected RBC. In conclusion, after phagocytosis, Plasmodium-infected RBC 
are degraded by DC and macrophages, suggesting that the process of phagosomal 
maturation is effectively completed in malaria.