CD44 and infection: Following infection with virulent AG83 parasites, the CD66b+/CD83+ transdifferentiated neutrophils (P1/P3 and P2/P5) demonstrated an increased phagocytic potential, with the median GMFC being 10,336 (9,772–11,969) and 22,691 (21,883–24,089), P < 0.05, respectively (Fig. 5C and D), whereas CD44 expression in the non-transdifferentiated neutrophils (P1/P4) was comparable with uninfected P1 neutrophils, their median expression being 4,763 (3,018–5,786) (Fig. 5C and D).