Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness caused by Plasmodium parasites. It is characterized by periodic fevers and is transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. There are four types of malaria parasites that can infect humans - Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. P. falciparum is the most dangerous type and causes the majority of malaria deaths. The malaria parasites have a complex lifecycle involving human and mosquito hosts. Symptoms include fevers, chills, sweats and can lead to severe complications without treatment. Diagnosis is by examination of blood films under a microscope to identify

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2. DEFINITION
Malaria is a mosquito-borne febrile
illness caused by protozoa of the genus
Plasmodium
It is charecterised by periodic fever,
splenomegaly, hemolytic anaemia,
recurrent chronic course.
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3. VECTOR: -
ANOPHELENE FEMALE MOSQUITO
Definitive Host – Mosquito
Intermediate host - Man
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4. CAUSATIVE AGENT:
Plasmodium falciparum
Plasmodium ovale
Plasmodium malariae
Plasmodium vivax
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5. TYPES OF MALARIA
 Falciparum: Almost 80% of cases and
90% of malaria deaths. Primarily found in
South America and Africa.
 Ovale: Rarest form. Found in West
Africa.
 Malariae: Can infect other mammals.
Found in Africa and South East Asia.
 Vivax: 20% of infections. Widest
geographic distribution.
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6.  Malaria zones are: Africa, India, Middle East,
Southeast Asia, Central and South America,
Eastern Europe, and the South Pacific
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8. Infection Sporozoites
Liver
Asexual
cycle
G am etocytes
M erozoites
Transm ission
to m osquito
THE MALARIA PARASITE LIFE CYCLE
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12.  Incubation time : The time interval between
mosquito bite and development of malaria is 13-
14 days except for P. malariae (35 days) If the
infection is left untreated
Fever recurs every third day in P.vivax and ovale
infection establishing a 2-day cycle (tertian)
Spike occurs every three days (Quartan) in
P.malariae infection i.e. fever recurs every fourth
day
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14. CLINICAL FEATURES:
Fever
Headache
Vague discomfort
Aches and pains nausea and vomiting
Paroxysms- in 3 stages-
Charecteristic of malaria
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15. Cold stage :
Starts with chills and rigors
Temperature - 40 or more
Rapid pulse
Skin –pale and cold
Hot stage
In 30-60 mins,
later with flushing of skin,
Bounding pulse
Severe headache and restlessness
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16. Sweat stage
Profuse sweat
 It lasts for 2-4 hours.
 Temp falls ,comes to normal.
 Paroxysms repeat at an interval of 48hrs.
Feels well in between the attacks
Spleen and liver enlarge ,may become
tender
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17. P.MALARIAE INFECTION
Present with mild symptoms and
bouts of fever every third day.
Glomerulonephritis and nephrotic
syndrome in children
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18. P.FALCIPARUM INFECTION
 More dangerous.
 Insidious onset with malaise,headache
and vomiting.
 Cold ,hot and sweat stage.
 No particular pattern.
 Jaundice is common.
 Enlarged liver and spleen,tender.
 Rapid development of anaemia
 Develop serious complications
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19. COMPLICATIONS
 Severe anaemia
 Organ damage due to anoxia
Brain-cerebral malaria
Kidneys- uraemia (acute tubular
nechrosis)
Lungs-cough, pulmonary oedema
GI- diarrhoea, congestion
Liver-jaundice, encephalopathy
 Intravascular haemolysis
Blackwater fever
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20.  Hypoglysemia
 Shock secondary to pneumonia
 Hypotensive shock
 Metabolic acidosis
 Tropical Splenomegaly
 Malarial nephropathy
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21. IN PREGNANCY
 Maternal death
 Abortion
 Stillbirth
 Low birth weight
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22. Malaria in children
 The majority of childhood malarial infections
present with fever and malaise.
 In addition to the clinical features mentioned
for adults malaria in children may lead to -
Convulsions
Coma
Hypoglycaemia
Metabolic acidosis
Severe anaemia
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23. LAB FINDINGS
 Leukocytes decreased
 ESR
 Degree of plasma viscosity
 C-reactive protein is high.
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24. DIAGNOSIS
Demonstration of parasite:
Thick film or thin film
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25. INVESTIGATIONS
Blood Film Examination
Thick and thin blood films (or
“smears”) have remained the
gold standard for the
diagnosis of malaria. The
films are stained and
examined by microscopy.
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26. Ring forms or
trophozoites; many red
cells infected – some
with more than one
parasite
Gametocytes (sexual stages);
After a blood meal, these
forms will develop in the
mosquito gut
APPEARANCE OF P. FALCIPARUM IN THIN BLOOD FILMS
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