Malaria Module - Krafts Flashcards

1
Q

Where is malaria most prevalent?

A

Sub-Saharan Africa (90% of deaths)

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2
Q

What causes malaria?

A

Plasmodium, a Protozoa

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3
Q

What is the cause of the pigmentation in infected malarial cells?

A

Hemoglobin is broken down to alpha-hematin, which is toxic and pink. Then the parasite converts the hematin to hemozoin.

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4
Q

What mosquito transmits malaria?

A

Anopheles Mosquito

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5
Q

What are the 3 plasmodium that have a low parasite burden and cause a mild anemia?

A
Plasmodium vivax (relapse)
Plasmodium ovale (relapse)
Plasmodium malariae
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6
Q

What is the plasmodium that has a high parasite burden, causes severe anemia, and has a high fatality rate?

A

Plasmodium falciparum (causes cerebral and multi-organ symptoms)

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7
Q

What are the most common plasmodium?

A

Plasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium vivax

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8
Q

What is the infectious stage of the plasmodium?

A

Sporozoites that infect the liver to form hepatic schizonts

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9
Q

What is a trophozoite?

A

After the ring form, the trophozoite begins to reproduce the protozoan particles.

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10
Q

What is a merozoite?

A

The infectious particles that can go on to infect other cells.

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11
Q

What plasmodium are Schuffner’s dots found in?

A

P. ovale and P. vivax

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12
Q

What plasmodium are enlarged red cells found in?

A

P. ovale and P. vivax

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13
Q

Why is malaria from Plasmodium falciparum worse?

A

Red cells of any age can be infected

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14
Q

Characteristics of Plasmodium falciparum red cell pathology

A

Rosettes
Abnormal binding to endothelium
Blood flow impeded

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15
Q

What is the main cause of death in children from Plasmodium falciparum?

A

Cerebral ischemia

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16
Q

What are some of the symptoms caused by Plasmodium falciparum that are attributed to TNF, INF-y, IL-1?

A

Suppress red cell production
Causes fever
Tissue damage
Red cell binding to endothelium

17
Q

How does the spleen become enlarged in a malarial patient?

A

Super-active spleen macrophages eat the red cells infected with parasites

Causes fibrosis, grayish color

18
Q

How do the brain vessels become plugged up in a malarial patient?

A

Red cell rosettes
Hypoxia around vessels
Ischemia

19
Q

What happens to the liver in a malarial patient?

A

Enlarged and Pigmented liver

20
Q

What is the time frame for infection?

A

Incubation 1-2 weeks
Prodrome: flu-like illness
Paroxysms with fever, chills, sweating, myalgia

21
Q

Describe Quotidian fevers and what causes it.

A

Fevers daily with P. falciparum

22
Q

Describe Tertian fevers and what causes it.

A

Fevers every 48 hours with P. vivax and P. ovale

23
Q

Describe Quartan fevers and what causes it?

A

Fevers every 72 hours with P. malariae

24
Q

What are some inherited red cell alterations that can help in resistance to malaria?

A

Hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell)
Thalassemias
G6PD deficiency
RBC antigens (ABO, Duffy)

25
How can partial immune mediated resistance help in resistance to malaria?
Develops over time in patients in endemic areas Reduces severity of disease P. falciparum uses antigenic variation
26
How is malaria diagnosed?
1) Clinical symptoms with appropriate history 2) Identify plasmodia in RBC on regularly-stained blood smear (gold standard) 3) Rapid immunochromatographic tests (quicker, but less accurate)