1) Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium that is transmitted via the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. There are four species that cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale. P. falciparum causes the most severe disease. 2) Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, and flu-like illness that occurs in cyclical waves. P. falciparum infections can progress to severe complications affecting the brain, lungs and kidneys if not promptly treated. 3) Diagnosis is made through microscopic examination of blood smears to detect the parasite, and treatment involves ant

1. INFECTION WITH
MALARIA PARASITES
Plasmodium Spp.
Dr. Souzan H. Eassa,
Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine,
University Of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

2. Malarial Parasite
Four species are known to infect humans:
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine
2
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).

3. Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine
3
 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.
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine 4

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).
5
 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.
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine 6

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.
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine 7
Plasmodium Species

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
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine
9

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.
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine
10

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
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine
11

12. Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine 12

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
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine 13

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.
Souzan Eassa- Departments of Microbiology/ College of Medicine 14

15. Thank you