Plasmodium

There are four species of plasmodium (malarial parasite).

·         Plasmodium Vivax

·         Plasmodium Malariae

·         Plasmodium Ovale

·         Plasmodium Falciparum

Definitive host:

                Female anopheles mosquito

Intermediate host:

                Human

Life cycle in Human:

                Sporozoites => merozoites (in liver) => merozoites (in RBCs) => release of merozoites due to the RBC rupture, merozoites infect other RBCs. Some merozoites differentiate into gametocytes => gametocytes containing red cells are sucked by female anopheles mosquito.

Clinical features:

·         High Grade Fever

·         Rigor and Chill

·         Sweating

                The episode may come after 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 or 72 hrs.

Ø  Cerebral Malaria can be caused by Plasmodium Falciparum.

Ø  Black water syndrome is caused by Plasmodium Falciparum in which the patient has black urine due to hemolysis.

Treatment:

Chloroquine