Our results showed that the pro-apoptotic genes Tnfr-1, Trail, Fadd, Ripk-1, Casp-3, Casp-8, Casp-9, Dffb, Bak, Bax, Bad, Bid, Xiap are positively regulated in ARDS-developing mice compared to HP-developing mice, suggesting that both extrinsic and intrinsic pathway of apoptosis may participate in the pathogenesis of malaria-associated ARDS. This evidence concerns the gene XIAP and acute respiratory distress syndrome.