Decoding Malaria: Causes, Life Cycle, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

 

Malaria

 is caused by a parasite that destroys red blood cells and is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, Usually, mosquito’s bites late in the evening or at night.

The primary causative agent of malaria is the protozoan Plasmodium, which includes several species such as

1.       Plasmodium vivax

2.       P. malariae

3.       P. falciparum

4.       P. ovale

5.       P. knowlesi

Life Cycle:

1. The Plasmodium parasite initially infects female Anopheles mosquitoes.

2. Infected mosquitoes then transmit saliva containing sporozoites into the human bloodstream during a bite.

3. Sporozoites travel to the liver, reproduce asexually, and emerge as merozoites.

4. Merozoites invade red blood cells (RBCs) and form trophozoites, initiating a cycle of asexual reproduction.

5. Trophozoites develop into merozoites, causing RBCs to burst and release more parasites.

6. Some trophozoites develop into gametocytes, which are ingested by non-infected mosquitoes during a blood meal.

7. In the mosquito's gut, male and female gametocytes fuse to form a zygote, leading to the development of oocysts.

8. Mature sporozoites are released from oocysts and migrate to the salivary glands, completing the cycle when the infected mosquito bites another healthy person.

Clinical Findings:

·         Fever

·         Vomiting

·         Nausea

·         Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)

·         Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)

·         Headache

Diagnosis:

·         Blood Smear (Thick and Thin smears):

§  Thick smear for parasite detection

§  Thin smear for species identification

·         Rapid Test

·         PCR

Treatment

1. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs)

2. Chloroquine

3. Quinine

4. Atovaquone-proguanil

5. Doxycycline

6. Mefloquine

7. Primaquine