Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Pharmacology > Malaria > Flashcards

Malaria Flashcards

1
Q

What is the pre-erythrocytic development stage of malaria?

A

The development of the malaria parasite when it first enters the host (liver stage) after inoculation by a female anopheles, invading hepatocytes and multiplying for 5-12 days.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define radical cure in the context of malaria.

A

Refers to both cure of blood-stage infection and prevention of relapses by clearing hypnozoites (P. vivax and P. ovale infections only).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is recrudescence in malaria?

A

Recurrence of asexual parasitaemia following antimalarial treatment comprising the same genotype(s) that caused the original illness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Differentiate between recrudescence and reinfection.

A

Recrudescence results from residual asexual parasitaemia due to inadequate treatment, while reinfection is a new malaria infection shortly after treatment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What causes relapse in P. vivax and P. ovale malaria?

A

Recurrence of asexual parasitaemia deriving from persisting liver stages (hypnozoites) after the blood-stage infection has been eliminated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How do malaria parasites exhibit their lifecycle?

A

They have a complex lifecycle in both human and mosquito hosts, with asexual stages occurring in humans and sexual stages occurring in mosquitoes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the clinical symptoms of malaria associated with?

A

Erythrocytic invasion, growth and division, followed by cell lysis and re-invasion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the gold standard for parasitological diagnosis of malaria?

A

Light microscopy, specifically examining a Giemsa stained thick or thin blood smear.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is an mRDT?

A

Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test; a device that detects parasite-specific antigens or enzymes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the limitations of microscopy in malaria diagnosis?

A

Lack of expert microscopists, constant electricity, infrastructure, and quality reagents.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does PCR stand for in malaria diagnosis?

A

Polymerase chain reaction, a method that amplifies genus- and species-specific sequences of the parasite.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

List some control measures for malaria management.

A
  • Use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) * Indoor residual spraying (IRS) * Clearing mosquito breeding areas * Seasonal screening and mass drug administration * Chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy * Improve childhood nutrition
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are tissue schizontocidal drugs?

A

Causal drugs that eliminate liver stage from initiating erythrocytic stage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the primary action of blood schizontocidal drugs?

A

They act quickly on erythrocytic stages, with examples being artemisinin and quinolines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are gametocytocidal drugs used for?

A

They destroy sexual erythrocytes, preventing transmission to mosquitoes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the mechanism of action for quinoline drugs?

A

Inhibits heme crystallization.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the role of artemisinin in malaria treatment?

A

Rapidly effective against malaria parasites, radically reducing parasite counts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is artemisinin combination therapy (ACT)?

A

Combines an artemisinin derivative with a partner drug for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the common side effects of artemisinin derivatives?

A
  • Nausea * Vomiting * Diarrhea * Dizziness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the recommended treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria?

A

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) such as Artemether + lumefantrine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What should be done for severe malaria treatment?

A

Use intravenous or intramuscular artesunate for at least 24 hours, followed by oral treatment with ACT.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the pharmacokinetics of artemisinin?

A

Half-life of 1-3 hours.

23
Q

What are some examples of artemisinin derivatives?

A
  • Artemether * Artesunate * Dihydroartemisinin
24
Q

What is the rationale behind using ACTs?

A

To rapidly kill > 95% of the parasite and reduce the chances of resistance.

25
Q

What should be avoided in treating HIV co-infected patients with malaria?

A

Avoid certain combinations of treatments like artesunate + SP when patients are receiving co-trimoxazole.

26
Q

What is the typical duration for taking artemisinin?

A

7 days with a half-life of about 3 hours

27
Q

What is the current standard regimen duration for combination therapy with artemisinin?

A

3 days

28
Q

List the first-line approved ACT.

A

Artemether + lumefantrine (AL)

29
Q

List the second-line approved ACT.

A

Artesunate + amodiaquine (AA)

30
Q

Which drug is combined with long-acting sulfonamides?

A

Pyrimethamine

31
Q

What stages of malaria does pyrimethamine inhibit?

A

All stages except late-stage gametocytes and hypnozoites

32
Q

What is the half-life of sulfadoxine?

A

100-230 hours

33
Q

What is the combination of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine known as?

A

Fansidar

34
Q

What adverse reaction can occur with sulfadoxine?

A

Stevens-Johnson syndrome

35
Q

What is chemoprevention in the context of malaria?

A

Use of antimalarial medicines for prophylaxis and preventive treatment

36
Q

Who are considered at-risk groups for malaria?

A

Pregnant women, infants and children under 5, people with HIV/AIDS, immunocompromised individuals, non-immune travelers, and individuals returning from malaria endemic countries

37
Q

What does SMC stand for in malaria prevention?

A

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprophylaxis

38
Q

What is the purpose of causal prophylaxis?

A

Prevents the establishment of infection in the liver

39
Q

Fill in the blank: Atovaquone + _______ is effective as a causal prophylactic drug.

A

proguanil

40
Q

What is the recommended treatment for pregnant women according to WHO?

A

IPTp with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine

41
Q

What is the causative agent of malaria?

A

Plasmodium (unicellular protozoan)

42
Q

How many cases and deaths from malaria were reported globally in 2022?

A

249M cases & 608,000 deaths

43
Q

What are the five main species of Plasmodium pathogenic to humans?

A
  • P. falciparum
  • P. malariae
  • P. vivax
  • P. ovale
  • P. knowlesi
44
Q

Which species of Plasmodium is most virulent?

A

P. falciparum

45
Q

What is suppressive prophylaxis?

A

Use of blood schizonticides to protect against clinical illness

46
Q

What are some antimalarials used for chemoprophylaxis?

A
  • Atovaquone + Proguanil (Malarone)
  • Chloroquine
  • Proguanil
  • Doxycycline
  • Mefloquine
  • Primaquine
47
Q

What is antimalarial drug resistance?

A

Ability of a parasite strain to survive and multiply despite adequate drug administration

48
Q

What is the trade name of the pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine approved in 2015?

A

Mosquirix

49
Q

What defines severe malaria?

A

Presence of one or more severe symptoms such as coma, metabolic acidosis, or severe anemia

50
Q

What is cerebral malaria?

A

Unarousable coma associated with proven P. falciparum infection

51
Q

What are common symptoms of malaria?

A
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Vomiting
52
Q

Which population is most vulnerable to malaria deaths?

A

Children under five years of age

53
Q

What is the asexual cycle in malaria?

A

Life cycle from merozoite invasion of red blood cells to schizont rupture

54
Q

Fill in the blank: The presence of asexual parasites in the blood without symptoms is known as _______.

A

asymptomatic parasitaemia

Pharmacology (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions