2. Malarial Parasite
Four species are known to infect humans:
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1- P. falciparum, 53%
2- P. vivax , 42%
3- P. malariae 7%
4- P. Ovale
P. vivax and
P. falciparum are the
most common.
The high prevalence of
Plasmodium falciparum
(the parasite that
causes the most severe
cases of malaria).
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Definitive host: Female Anopheles Mosquito
Intermediate host: Man.
Infective form: sporozoite
Portal of entry: skin
Mode of transmission :
Bite of an infected mosquito.
Habitat: first in parenchymal
cells of livre, then in RBCs,
and other organ.
Malarial Parasite
4. Disease is named: MALARIA
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite.
The name malaria (mal-bad, aria-air) was given in the 18th
century in Italy as it was believed to be caused by foul
emanations from the marshy soil.
Malaria is characterized by intermittent
fever associated with chills and rigors
in the patient.
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5. Populations at Increased Risk for Severe Malaria
WHO estimates that yearly
300-500 million cases of
malaria occur and more than 1
million people die of malaria.
Pregnant women (Malaria
increases the risk of
miscarriage, low birth weight,
and maternal death).
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People with HIV/AIDS(Weakened immune system).
6. Plasmodium Species
Plasmodium falciparum:
Accounts for 50% of
all malaria cases. Most
pathogenic. Found in the
tropics and sub-tropics.
Plasmodium vivax:
About 43% of all
malaria cases. Seen in
tropical and sub-tropical
areas but rare in Africa.
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7. Plasmodium malariae:
About 7% of malaria
cases. Occurs in sub-
tropical climates.
Plasmodium ovale:
this species is rarely
encountered. Primarily seen
in tropical Africa, especially,
the west coast, but has been
reported in South America
and Asia.
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Plasmodium Species
8.
9. Clinical Findings
Symptoms usually appear about 1 to 3 weeks after
infection. People with malaria will have many but not
generally all of the following symptoms:
Fever has three stage :
cold stage
hot stage
sweeting stage and chills
abdominal pain
diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
(these symptoms only appear sometimes)
headache
low blood pressure causing dizziness
muscle aches
poor appetite
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10. In people infected with P. falciparum, the following
symptoms may also occur:
Anemia caused by the destruction
of infected red blood cells
Extreme tiredness
unconsciousness
coma
Kidney failure
Pulmonary edema (a serious condition where fluid builds up
in the lungs, which can lead to severe breathing problems)
P. Vivax and P. Ovale can lie dormant in the liver for up to a
year before causing symptoms. They can then remain
dormant in the liver again and cause later relapses.
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11. Diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis is based on the patient's
symptoms and on physical findings at
examination.
Microscopic examination, visualization of the
parasite on the thick and/or thin blood smears “gold
standard” for malaria diagnosis.
Serology (indirect immunofluorescence
‘IFA’ and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay ‘ELISA’).
Molecular Diagnosis, PCR
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13. Treatment
Most drugs used in treatment are active against the
parasite forms in the blood (the form that causes disease).
Mefloquine
Combination of atovaquone and proguanil
Chloroquine
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14. Prevention and control
Check for malaria outbreaks and malaria risks before you
travel.
If you will be traveling to a place where malaria is a risk, get
malaria medication from your doctor before you go.
Take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
Avoid spending time outdoors in hot weather.
Pregnant women should take extra steps to prevent malaria.
Wear protective clothing.
Drape mosquito nets over your bed at night.
At home, use mosquito traps.
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