Malaria

Malaria
(protoxoan disease of the blood)

Plasmodium
(P. falciparum)

*eukaryote: Protozoa
*obligate intracellular parasite (hepatocytes and erythrocytes)
*non- motile
*complex multi host life cycle

Humans and mosquitos (female Anopheles mosquito)

skin-circulatory system

*Mosquito bite
-vector= female anopheles mosquito
-vertical
-latent infections

1-5 wks

*Protozoans replicate in human hepatocyctes
*cell lyses and release protozoa, results in inflammation and fever
*protozoa replicate in RBC (cuse cellular damage and adhesion to vascular surfaces)
*ruptured RBS associated with inflammation, fever, anemia, O2 deprivation in tissues

*fever
*chills
*tiredness
*nausea/vomiting
*headache
*diarrhea

*anemia
*jaundice
*seizures
*coma
*kidney failure
*relapse (P. vivax and P. ovale)
*mortality

*limit contact with mosquitos
*avoid traveling to endemic areas
*insecticides
*barriers (protective clothing)
*repellents (deet)
*GM mosquito
*vaccine
*Prophylaxis with anti-malaria drugs

*30% effective
*P. falciparum

*Mefloquine
*Chloroquine (antibiotic)
*Quinine and doxycycline (antibiotics)