Difficult Words Flashcards
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Ookinete A motile
zygote-like stage in the life cycle of some parasitic protozoans, such as the malarial parasite Plasmodium. It is formed by the fusion of a male and female gamete and is responsible for penetrating the gut wall of a mosquito and migrating to the mosquito’s salivary glands.
Oocyst A thin-walled
structure in which sporozoites develop within the mosquito during the life cycle of Plasmodium.
Sporozoite An infective
stage of the Plasmodium parasite that is found in the salivary glands of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites a human, sporozoites are injected into the bloodstream and initiate the malarial infection.
Gametocytes The sexual
stage of the Plasmodium parasite, which develops in the red blood cells of a human host. When ingested by a mosquito, gametocytes differentiate into male and female gametes, which fuse to form a zygote, initiating the next stage of the parasite’s life cycle.
Merzoites The daughter
cells produced by the asexual reproduction of sporozoites in the liver cells and later in red blood cells during the Plasmodium life cycle.
Erythrocytic cycle The
stage of the Plasmodium life cycle that occurs within red blood cells (RBCs).
Pre-erythrocytic cycle The
stage of the Plasmodium life cycle that occurs in the liver cells of a human host.
Algid malaria A severe
form of malaria characterized by a rapid development of shock, extensive vascular involvement of the gastrointestinal tract and other abdominal viscera, circulatory collapse with markedly low blood pressure, cold skin, and clammy, peripheral veins constricted.
Blackwater fever An acute
life-threatening complication of malaria characterized by massive lysis of red blood cells, high levels of free haemoglobin and breakdown products of haemoglobin in the blood and urine. It is also characterized by renal insufficiency, prostrating chills, profuse vomiting, and jaundice. The urine is dark-red to black, hence the name of the condition. Renal failure is usually the cause of death. Damage to kidney is thought to result from reducing efficiency of glomerular filtration and resorption from the renal tubules.
Hypoglycemia A condition
where there is a reduced concentration of blood glucose, a common symptom in falciparum malaria.
Lysis The breakdown
or disintegration of cells, tissues, or other biological structures. This can occur due to various factors, including disease, trauma, or chemical exposure.
Renal Relating to
the kidneys. The term is often used in medical contexts to describe conditions, diseases, or procedures that affect the kidneys.
Gastrointestinal Relating to
the stomach and intestines, which make up the digestive system. This term is commonly used to describe conditions, diseases, or procedures that affect the digestive tract.
Anorexia A loss
of appetite, often resulting in weight loss.
Malaise A general
feeling of discomfort, illness, or fatigue.
Endemic A disease
that is constantly present in a particular population or region.
Trophzoites The active
feeding stage of a parasite, such as Plasmodium.
Schizonts A stage
in the development of some parasites, such as Plasmodium, where the parasite multiplies asexually within a host cell.
Immunochromatographic A type
of rapid diagnostic test that uses antibodies to detect specific substances in a sample.
Monoclonal antibodies Antibodies produced
by identical immune cells that are specific to a single target antigen.
Histidine-rich protein II A
water-soluble protein produced by trophozoites and young (but not mature) gametocytes of the P. falciparum malaria parasite.
Parasite lactate dehydrogenase An
enzyme produced by asexual and sexual stages (gametocytes) of malaria parasites.
Aldolase An enzyme
involved in the glycolytic pathway (the process of breaking down sugar for energy) that is present in all four species of malaria parasite.
Trophozoites The active
feeding stage of a parasite, such as Plasmodium.
Gametocytes The sexual
stage of the Plasmodium parasite.
Antigen A substance
that triggers an immune response in the body.
Prophylaxis Measures taken
to prevent the development of disease.
Chemoprophylaxis Using antimalarial
drugs regularly to prevent malaria.
Anthropophily The preference
of a vector (like a mosquito) for biting humans.
Zoophily The preference
of a vector for biting animals.
Endophagy The tendency
for a vector to bite indoors.
Exophagy The tendency
for a vector to bite outdoors.
Endophily The tendency
for a vector to rest indoors.
Exophily The tendency
for a vector to rest outdoors.
Imago The adult
stage of an insect, such as a mosquito.
Larval Relating to
the larva stage of an insect, which is the stage between the egg and adult.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis A form
of leishmaniasis that primarily affects the skin, causing ulcers or nodules.
Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis A more
severe form of leishmaniasis that affects both the skin and mucous membranes, particularly the nose, mouth, and pharynx.
Leishmaniasis braziliensis A specific
type of leishmaniasis caused by the parasite Leishmania braziliensis, common in South America.
Visceral leishmaniasis A serious
form of leishmaniasis that affects the internal organs, especially the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It is also known as kala-azar.
Leishmania donovani A species
of parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis.
Zoonotic A disease
that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Anthropozoonotic A disease
that can be transmitted from humans to animals and back to humans.
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis A late
complication of visceral leishmaniasis that manifests as a skin rash, usually after treatment for kala-azar.
Maculo-papular A type
of skin rash characterized by flat, red spots (macules) and small, raised bumps (papules).
Splenomegaly Enlargement of
the spleen.
