W28-L4: Malaria Flashcards
Where is the global burden of P. falciparum?
Africa mainly
Where is the global burden of P. vivax?
Mainly in Central America and asia
Why doesn’t P. vivax affect africa much?
african populations have genetic protection against these species
Who is at greatest risk of malaria?
Young children and pregnant women
What communities does malaria affect most?
Resource poor communites
What is the life cycle of malaria?
incubate in liver for 7-10 days, released as merozoites and infect RBC, replicate in bloodstream, liver stage is completely asymptomatic
Does malaria have animal reservoirs?
No
When in the lifecycle is the disease of malaria present?
Blood stage
What are clinical features of uncomplicated malaria?
Flu like illness with fever headaches
What are the clinical features of severe malaria?
Severe anaemia, cerebral complications, respiratory distress
What is the treatment of mild malaria?
Short course of effective anti-malarial tablets
What is the treatment of severe malaria?
Antimalarias IV, IV fluids, intensive care
What causes the development of malaria illness
Unrestricted replication of malaria in the bloodstream
What are the three types of malaria immunity?
- Prevents severe malaria
- Prevents any malaria
- Prevents malaria in pregnancy
What are reasons for slow development of immunity to malaria?
Parasite and host factors
What are the important immune cells in response to malaria?
T and B cells to produce antibodies and CD 4 and 8 responses
What is the immune response to sporozoites?
Antibodies that inhibit the infection of hepatocytes
What is the immune response to the liver stage of malaria?
CD 8 T cells against infected hepatocytes
To which stage is the bulk of the immune response in malaria?
Blood stage
What is immune response in the blood stage
Cell mediated: CD 4+ (RBC have no MHC so no CD 8)
Antibodies: To merozoites and infected RBCs
