Viva - Malaria

Question 1

Cause of Malaria

Answer 1

Infection of blood cells by Plasmodium genus

A protozoal parasite

Question 2

Vector

Answer 2

Female anopheles mosquito

Question 3

Types of malaria

Answer 3

Plasmodium falciparum - commonest, severe

Malarieae - less severe

Ovale - relapsing disease

Vivax - 2nd most important, dominant out of africa, relapses

Knowlesi - zoonotic,

Question 4

Pathophysiology

Answer 4

Mosquite bite. Plasmodium to blood stream

Sporozytes - to liver

Mature in schizonts - rupture to release merosites, form trophozite, make more schizonts

Rupture - haemolysis, more merozites…

Periodic haemolysis –> cycles of fever

Question 5

Criteria for malaria

Answer 5

WHO criteria

Fever, jaundice, headache, hepatospleno,

Severe - Prostration, seizures, 
Hypoglycaemia
Acidosis
Renal failure
Parasite titre ++
Pulmonary oedema
DIC
Shock, haemolysis

Question 6

Risk for malaria

Answer 6

Young

Travellors without immunity

Pregnancy

Question 7

Risk of death

Answer 7

Under3
Cerebral malaria
MOF
Urea ?60
Anaemia

Question 8

DD

Answer 8

Dengue
Typhoid
Meningitis
Hepatitis
Leptospirosis

Question 9

Diagnosis

Answer 9

Thick and thin films
Thin (idenitfy parasite) Thick - count them

Rapid tests - parasite specific LDG

Malaria PCR - does not give load

Question 10

Treatment

Answer 10

Artesunate, quinine

Artemisinin combination therapy