malaria Flashcards
what is the vector for malaria ?
female Anopheles mosquito, carrying plasmodium parasite
when the parasitee enteers thee blood stream what is it called ?
sporozite that travels to the liver, they then mature and infect red blood cells
what is the incubation period for. thee plasmodium ?
2 weeks
when the RBC burst and release the parasite what form are they released in ?
Merozoites
what are the clinical manifestations of uncomplicated malaria ?
non specific symptoms
physical findings may include a palpable spleen and anemia
may also be associated with mild jaundice
febrile convulsions occur at irregular intervals each day
high temperature may be associated with tachycardia and/or delirium
what is the pathogenesis for the clinical findings associated with severe malaria ?
cytoadherence
what is blackwater fever ?
associated with severe malaria where there is renal failure and hemoglobinuria
which strain of plasmodium is associated with generalized seizures ?
falciparum , associated with cerebral malaria
what is the presentation of cerebral malaria ?
gradual or sudden onset of impaired consciousness, delirium/ seizures
what are the risk factors associated with cerebral malaria ?
age
pregnancy
poor nutritional status
HIV infection
history of splenectomy
what are the findings in CSF aspiration in cerebral malaria ?
may be normal or may show elevated total protein level and cell count
what is the standard tool for the diagnosis of malaria ?
giemsa stained blood smears by light microscopy, 3 samples over 3 consecutivee days
what are the two types of blood smears used for the diagnosis of malaria ?
thin smear - for parasite density
thick smear - presence or absence of parasite and to estimate parasite density
what quick test can be used in absence of blood smear ?
rapid diagnostic test
if you want to test for multiple antigens what is the best test to use ?
antigen based test
