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Micro Winter Exam 2 > L17: Malaria > Flashcards

L17: Malaria Flashcards

1
Q

What is Plasmodium?

A

A parasitic protozoa that causes malaria

More than 100 species of Plasmodium infect various hosts, including humans, primates, birds, reptiles, and rodents.

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2
Q

Which Plasmodium species accounts for 90% of malaria cases in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

Plasmodium falciparum

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3
Q

What is the primary vector responsible for malaria transmission?

A

Female Anopheles mosquito

Transmission can also occur transplacentally, through blood transfusion, or by needle sharing.

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4
Q

What are the main clinical manifestations of uncomplicated malaria?

A

Asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria

Symptoms include headache, malaise, myalgia, high fever, tachycardia, and chills.

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5
Q

What differentiates relapse from recrudescence in malaria?

A

Relapse: resurgence from hypnozoites in the liver; Recrudescence: increase in infected RBCs not eliminated by the immune system or therapy

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6
Q

What are the life cycle phases of Plasmodium species?

A

Liver phase (exoerythrocytic) and RBC phase (erythrocytic)

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: In the liver phase, Plasmodium species can persist as _______.

A

hypnozoites

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8
Q

Which population group accounted for 80% of all malaria deaths in the WHO African Region in 2021?

A

Children under 5 years of age

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9
Q

What is the approximate cycle time for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax during the RBC phase?

A

48-hour cycle

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10
Q

True or False: Malaria is primarily transmitted by male Anopheles mosquitoes.

A

False

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11
Q

What is a major immunogen associated with Plasmodium falciparum?

A

PfEMP1

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12
Q

What are the key laboratory findings in complicated malaria?

A

Anemia, thrombocytopenia, transaminitis, hypoglycemia, hyperparasitemia

Hyperparasitemia is defined as >5-10% parasitized RBCs.

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13
Q

List the factors that govern malaria pathogenesis.

A
  • Parasite factors
  • Human host factors
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14
Q

What are the common clinical complications associated with severe malaria?

A

Altered mental state, renal failure, severe anemia, coagulopathy

Adults have a higher mortality rate and more multiorgan system involvement than children.

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15
Q

What is the function of PfEMP1 in malaria?

A

Facilitates cytoadherence of infected RBCs to vascular endothelium

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16
Q

What is the primary pathogenic mechanism in malaria?

A

Hemolysis of Plasmodium-infected RBCs

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17
Q

In what year were an estimated 247 million cases of malaria reported globally?

A

2021

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18
Q

What is the typical clinical presentation of symptomatic malaria?

A

Headache, malaise, myalgia, chills, high fever

Symptoms coincide with cycles of RBC destruction.

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19
Q

Which Plasmodium species is known for causing zoonotic malaria?

A

Plasmodium knowlesi

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20
Q

What is the role of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in malaria pathophysiology?

A

Triggers high levels of TNF leading to clinical symptoms

21
Q

What is Plasmodium?

A

A parasitic protozoa responsible for malaria

22
Q

What increases susceptibility to Plasmodium spp. in pregnant women?

A

No acquired immunity to parasites that express VAR2CSA

23
Q

What does VAR2CSA facilitate in infected RBCs?

A

Adhesion to chondroitin sulfate A, leading to RBC sequestration in the placenta

24
Q

What is the impact of placental malaria on pregnancy outcomes?

A

Increased risk of death, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and low birth weight

25
Q

What is the clinical hallmark of cerebral malaria (CM)?

A

Coma

26
Q

What are some systemic complications of cerebral malaria?

A

Anemia, metabolic acidosis, electrolyte imbalance, hyperpyrexia, hypoglycemia, shock

27
Q

What are the neurological outcomes for survivors of cerebral malaria?

A

Increased risk of neurological deficits, cognitive difficulties, behavioral issues, and epilepsy

28
Q

What is the primary cause of childhood neurodisability in endemic regions?

A

Cerebral malaria

29
Q

What are some parasite factors contributing to the pathogenesis of malaria?

A

Parasite surface proteins like PfEMP1, red blood cell destruction, cytokine activation

30
Q

What are the host factors that contribute to malaria pathogenesis?

A

Innate immune response, acquired immune responses, and innate resistance

31
Q

What is the role of TNF in malaria pathogenesis?

A

Part of the innate immune response activated by hemozoin and parasite antigens

32
Q

What is the significance of the Duffy antigen in malaria?

A

Mutations in the ACKR1 gene related to the Duffy antigen affect susceptibility to P. vivax

33
Q

What is the primary method for diagnosing malaria?

A

Microscopy using thick and thin blood smears

34
Q

What are the characteristics of a thick blood smear in malaria diagnosis?

A

Good sensitivity for low-level parasitemia

35
Q

What are Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) used for?

A

Antigen detection for malaria diagnosis

36
Q

Which Plasmodium species is known for its crescent or sausage-shaped gametocyte?

A

P. falciparum

37
Q

What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria?

A

Artemether-Lumefantrine

38
Q

What is the treatment for the latent phase of P. vivax?

A

Primaquine

39
Q

Fill in the blank: The RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M are __________.

A

malaria vaccines

40
Q

What are some prevention strategies for malaria transmission?

A

Vector control, insecticide-treated bed nets, personal protection

41
Q

True or False: Artemether-Lumefantrine can be used during all trimesters of pregnancy.

A

True

42
Q

What are the potential side effects of primaquine and tafenoquine?

A

Hemolytic anemia in G6PD deficiency

43
Q

What are the primary causes of anemia in malaria?

A

Red blood cell destruction and dyserythropoiesis

44
Q

What does the term ‘sequestration’ refer to in the context of malaria?

A

Adherence of infected RBCs to microvascular endothelium

45
Q

What is the role of innate resistance in malaria?

A

Genetic factors like hemoglobin S and G6PD deficiency reduce parasitemia

46
Q

What is the role of malaria vaccines like RTS,S?

A

To provide immunity against malaria infection

47
Q

What are common clinical features of malaria?

A

High fever, pallor (anemia), splenomegaly

48
Q

What are the morphological characteristics of Plasmodium species in blood smears?

A

Schüffner’s stippling, Maurer’s cleft/dot, crescent-shaped gametocytes

Micro Winter Exam 2 (12 decks)

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