PLASMODIUM (MALARIA)

Question 1

What kind of pathogen is Plasmodium (Malaria)?

Answer 1

Protozoan

Question 2

What are some strains of Malaria?

Answer 2

-falciparum (most common in humans)
-vivax
-ovale
-malariae
-knowelsi

Question 3

How is Malaria transmitted?

Answer 3

Mosquito (common in Anopheles mosquito)

Question 4

How can malaria be prevented?

Answer 4

Insect avoidance/repellent
Prophylactic treatment for those at risk

Question 5

What is the pathogenesis of Malaria?

Answer 5

-Incubation time will depend on species/location (generally 7-30 days)

-Mosquito will inject Malaria and it will circulate in the bloodstream, replicate in RBC’s
-Red blood cells will rupture and spread the disease

-Liver phase malaria: can be dormant here

Question 6

How does Malaria present?

Answer 6

Acute onset: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, cough (commonly will start with shivering/chills for the first few hours and progresses to a high fever)

Quartan fever: Fever spikes every 3 days/72 hours in P. Malariae

if P. Falciparum: most deadly, can kill within 24 hours and has the most complications
-cerebral malaria (most common cause of death)
-Seizures
-Renal Failure
-Hypoglycemia
-Hemoglobinuria (black water fever): dark urine
-Pulmonary edema especially in pregnant women
-lactic acidosis
-hemolysis
-bleeding

Question 7

How can you diagnose Malaria?

Answer 7

-Thick/thin blood smear
-Antigen test
-PCR to determine species
-CBC
-LFT’s

Other testing: Blood sugar (G-6-PD)

Question 8

What is the treatment for Malaria caused by P.falcipaum?

Answer 8

Severe: IV quinolone with clindamycin or doxycycline

Mild: Malarone, Coartem, Quidine with clindamycin or doxycycline, Mefloquine

Question 9

What is the treatment for Malaria caused by other species of Plasmodium?

Answer 9

-Chloroquine

For vivax/ovale (liver form): Primaquine but check blood sugar G-6-PD levels first

Question 10

Can you be infected with multiple strains of Plasmodium (Malaria)?

Answer 10

Yes