Malaria Flashcards
What are the 5 causes of human plasmodium infection?
Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium ovale Plasmodium vivax Plasmodium malariae Plasmodium knowlesi
Where in the world is falciparum most common?
Sub saharan africa
Where in the world is vivax most common?
IS THE MOST COMMON
But asia lmao
What mosquitos spread malaria?
Female anopheles
What are the phases of the plasmodium lifestyle that are considered the pre-patent period?
Asymptomatic phase
Sporozoites entering hepatocytes and performing asexual reproduction
How long is the pre patent phase for falciparum?
7 - 30 days
What point in the life cycle does the pre patent phase end?
Merozoites released into blood
Infect erythrocytes
What do the merozoites become in erythrocytes?
Trophozoites
What do trophozoites cause?
Erythrocyte rupture –> release of more merozoites
What happens when the erythrocyte fragments are detected by the immune system?
Cytokine release
What do some trophozoites become?
Gametozoites
What can gametozoites do?
Sexual reproduction and be transmitted back to mosquitos
Symptoms of malaria?
Fever Myalgia Headache Anorexia Anaemia
Gold standard diagnostic treatment?
Giemsa stain
What tests can be done in rural areas?
Rapid diagnostic test in 15 minutes but lots of false positives
