Five species of Plasmodium (single-celled parasites) can infect humans and cause illness: 1. Plasmodium falciparum (or P. falciparum). 2. Plasmodium malariae (or P. malariae). 3. Plasmodium vivax (or P. vivax). 4. Plasmodium ovale (or P. ovale). 5. Plasmodium knowlesi (or P. knowlesi). Falciparum maRead more
Five species of Plasmodium (single-celled parasites) can infect humans and cause illness:
1. Plasmodium falciparum (or P. falciparum).
2. Plasmodium malariae (or P. malariae).
3. Plasmodium vivax (or P. vivax).
4. Plasmodium ovale (or P. ovale).
5. Plasmodium knowlesi (or P. knowlesi).
Falciparum malaria is potentially life-threatening. Patients with severe falciparum malaria may develop liver and kidney failure, convulsions, and coma. Although occasionally severe, infections with P. vivax and P. ovale generally cause less serious illness, but the parasites can remain dormant in the liver for many months, causing a reappearance of symptoms months or even years later.
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the human body, the parasites travel to the liver, where they multiply and then enter the bloodstream, infecting red blood cells. The parasites continue to multiRead more
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the human body, the parasites travel to the liver, where they multiply and then enter the bloodstream, infecting red blood cells. The parasites continue to multiply inside the red blood cells, which eventually burst, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream and causing the symptoms of malaria.
The pathogenicity of malaria is due to the destruction of red blood cells and the release of toxins by the parasites. This can lead to anemia, hypoglycemia, and other complications. In severe cases, malaria can cause organ failure, coma, and death.
See less