Malaria Species

Question 1

Name plasmodium species that use humans as primary host

Answer 1

p. Milariae
P. vivax
P. falciparum
p. ovale

Question 2

name primate plasmodium species that can also infect humans

Answer 2

P. cynomolgi
p. knowlesi

Question 3

which plasmodium species only effect rodents

Answer 3

p. chabaudi

p. berghei

Question 4

which non-human malaria species is closely related to p. vivax, so is used in studies as a surrogate of vivax to mimic aspects of vivax pathogenesis in non-human hosts

Answer 4

p. cynomolgi

Question 5

how are P. cynomolgi, P. ovale and p. Vivax similar, and what aspect of pathogenesis do the parasites share that makes Cynomolgi a good surrogate for vivax and Ovale in studies?

Answer 5

all species form hypnozoites, dormant parasite stages in the liver.

These hypnozoites can reactivate weeks, months, or even years later, causing relapsing malaria.

all preferentially invade young red blood cells called reticulocytes, limiting parasite density compared to P. falciparum, which infects all RBCs.

Question 6

which plasmodium species exhibit hypnozoites

Answer 6

Vivax, Ovale - human primary host

Cynomolgi - non-human primates

Question 7

whats the primary difference between P. ovale and P. vivax, considering both can form hypnozoites?

Answer 7

P vivax more severe, more frequent relapse

requires duffy antigen to invade reticulocyte

Question 8

which species causes 95% of malaria cases in humans

Answer 8

Falciparum