Malaria Flashcards
What are the two most common types of Malaria
Two main types - P falciparum ○ Most severe form - p. Vivax - Can affect many organs ○ Brain ○ Lungs ○ Placenta
Who is most at risk
Young Children and pregnant women
What is the lifecycle of malaria
- Sporozytes in the blood, to the liver
- 7-10 days in hepatocytes replicating
- Then back into blood stream as merozoites to infect RBC
- High levels in the blood leads to disease
What are the general clinical features
- Flu like illness
- Fever, headache, malaise
What are the severe complications
○ Cerebral complications ○ Respiratory distress ○ respiratory acidosis § Reduced tissue perfusion ○ Severe aneamia ○ Hypoglyceamia, kidney failure and clotting problems
Why is immunity complicated
The plasmodium has variable antigens on its surface that it radomy presents andhence if immunty generated then it will switch.Is a natural selection process
What are some protective mutations against Malaria
Sickle cell aneamia (Val for Glutamate) that results in hydrophobic agglutination, often seen in africans. Also see Thalamseamia
What species of mosquito can transfer malaria
Female Anophle misquitos
What stage are malaria injected by the misquito as
Sporozoites
What stage are malaria in hepatocytes
Schizonts
What stage are malaria in the plasma
Merozoites
What stage are malaria in RBCs
Trophozoites (ring stage)
What features of malaria help with the diagnosis
Trophozoites (ring stage) on a blood slide
