Clinical Parasitology: Malaria

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary means of malaria transmission?

  • Airborne transmission
  • Contaminated food and water
  • The bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes (correct)
  • Direct contact with infected individuals

Where is the highest transmission of malaria found?

  • Africa South of the Sahara (correct)
  • Parts of Asia
  • Western Europe
  • The United States

Which of the following is NOT a common habitat for malaria transmission?

  • Subtropical regions
  • Deserts (correct)
  • Temperate regions
  • Tropical regions

Which of the following Plasmodium species is more tolerant of lower ambient temperatures?

<p>P. vivax (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following regions is malaria transmission year-round?

<p>Warmer regions closer to the equator (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary route of transmission for naturally acquired malaria infections?

<p>The bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the mode of transmission of malaria via a mosquito bite?

<p>Through the skin of the human (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the infective stage of the Plasmodium parasite?

<p>Sporozoite (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the intermediate host of the Plasmodium parasite?

<p>Human (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of the schizogonic cycle in red cells for P. vivax?

<p>48 hrs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the fusion of gametes in the mosquito's stomach?

<p>Zygote (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two forms of sporozoites?

<p>Tachysporozoite and Bradysporozoite (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Plasmodium falciparum schizonts?

<p>Round, smaller, light blue cytoplasm, diffuse nucleus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the morphology of Plasmodium malariae gametocytes?

<p>Round, larger, dark blue cytoplasm, small and compact nucleus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of male gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum?

<p>Banana shaped, shorter and fatter, light blue cytoplasm, diffuse nucleus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the morphology of Plasmodium vivax schizonts?

<p>Round, smaller, light blue cytoplasm, diffuse nucleus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of female gametocytes of Plasmodium ovale?

<p>Round, larger, dark blue cytoplasm, small and compact nucleus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the morphology of microgametocytes of Plasmodium malariae?

<p>Round, larger, dark blue cytoplasm, small and compact nucleus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the rupture of infected RBCs and destruction of normal RBCs?

<p>Stimulation of phagocytosis and anemia (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of relapse in malaria?

<p>It occurs months or years after the primary attack (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of blackwater fever?

<p>Acute hemolysis of RBCs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between P.f. malaria and malaria caused by other plasmodia?

<p>P.f. malaria is more severe (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of massive hemolysis of RBCs in P.f. malaria?

<p>Blackwater fever (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of severe P.f. malaria?

<p>Death (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of performing a thin blood smear?

<p>To identify the species of the parasite (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of a thick blood smear over a thin blood smear?

<p>It is more sensitive in detecting parasites at low concentrations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of staining is commonly used for microscopic examination of malarial parasites?

<p>Giemsa or Wright's stain (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using primaquine and pyrimethamine in the treatment of malaria?

<p>To target the exoerythrocytic stage of the parasite (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of chemoprophylaxis in malaria prevention?

<p>To prevent malaria transmission (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration of chemoprophylaxis for malaria prevention?

<p>1 week before and 4 weeks after returning from the endemic area (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Malaria

  • Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, specifically P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi.
  • P. vivax and P. falciparum are more common.

Distribution and Transmission

  • Malaria is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
  • Transmission occurs through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, blood transfusions, and sharing of contaminated needles.
  • Transmission is year-round in warmer regions closer to the equator, with highest transmission in Africa South of the Sahara and parts of Oceania.

Morphology

  • Early trophozoites (ring) and developing trophozoites are present in the life cycle.
  • Mature microgametocytes and macrogametocytes are present in the life cycle.
  • Sporozoites are the infective stage.

Life Cycle

  • Intermediate host: human
  • Definitive host: female Anopheles mosquito
  • Infective stage: sporozoite
  • Infective mode: mosquito bite on human skin
  • Parasitic position: liver and red blood cells
  • Transmitted stage: gametocytes
  • Schizogonic cycle in red cells: 48 hours (P. vivax), 36-48 hours (P. falciparum)

Pathogenesis

  • Relapse occurs in P. vivax, with bradysporozoites in the liver remaining dormant for months or years before developing into exoerythrocytic and erythrocytic stages.
  • Malignant malaria is a severe form of P. falciparum malaria, involving cerebral malaria, massive hemoglobinuria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, shock, and renal failure.

Laboratory Diagnosis

  • Microscopic examination of thick and thin blood smears, stained with Giemsa or Wright's stain
  • Quantitative buffy coat (QBC) test and serological tests available
  • Newer methods: fluorescence microscopy, rapid antigen detection tests, and molecular diagnosis (DNA probe, PCR)

Treatment and Prevention

  • Chloroquine and quinine: anti-erythrocytic stage drugs
  • Primaquine and pyrimethamine: anti-exoerythrocytic stage drugs
  • Chemoprophylaxis: chloroquine and pyrimethamine for prophylaxis of malaria
  • Mosquito control and chemotherapy (1 week before and 4 weeks after traveling to endemic areas)

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