malaria- the life cycle of the Plasmodium

Malaria is a disease caused by the parasite protozoa. Plasmodium protozoa are responsible for malaria disease. This is a disease with which we have been fighting for many years.

Different species of Plasmodium, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malaria, and Plasmodium falciparum are responsible for different types of malaria. Of these, malignant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is the most severe and fatal.

What is malaria?

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium protozoa. These parasites are transmitted to men due to female anopheles mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are called malaria vectors.

There are 5 parasitic species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species - p. Falciparum and P. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium protozoa. These parasites are transmitted to men due to female anopheles mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are called malaria vectors.

There are 5 parasitic species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species - p. Falciparum and P. Vivax are the most serious and fatal.

Plasmodium (malaria parasite) has a complex life cycle. Its life cycle is completed in half mosquito and one half in the human body. Vivax is the most serious and fatal.

Plasmodium (malaria parasite) has a complex life cycle. Its life cycle is completed in half mosquito and one half in the human body.

The life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite

Plasmodium enters our body as sporozoites (infectious) by the bite of an infected female anopheles mosquito.

The parasites initially multiply within the liver cells and then attack the red blood cells (RBCs) resulting in their breakdown.

The breakdown of RBC is associated with the release of a toxic substance, hemozoin, which is responsible for cold and high fever occurring every 3 to 4 days.

When a female anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, these parasites enter the mosquito's body and undergo further development.

The parasites multiply within them to form sporozoites that accumulate in their salivary glands.

When these mosquitoes bite a healthy person, sporozoites enter their body.

Malarial parasites need two hosts - humans and mosquitoes - to complete their life cycle. Female Anopheles is a mosquito vector (transmitting agent).

Merozoite invasion of red blood cells

The parasite enters the bloodstream in the form of sporozoite. and immediately invades the liver. after some hours, many of the merozoites emerge and penetrate the red blood cells..following a complex series of transformations thousands of RB Cs rupture simultaneously and release thousands of new parasites .at this point the victim suffers a malaria attack (Chill and high fever recurring every 3 to 4 days). 

Types of the malaria parasite

• Plasmodium falciparum (or P. falciparum)
• Plasmodium malariae (or P. malariae)
• Plasmodium vivax (or P. vivax)
• Plasmodium ovale (or P. ovale).

Common Symptoms of malaria

Tertian malaria (three days): Plasmodium vivax and p. ovule spend about 48 hr in RBCs and there is a 48 hr interval between attacks. this malaria is called tertian malaria.

Quartan malaria (four days): p.falciparum attack may be irregular, this type of malaria is called quartan malaria.

death from malaria: death from malaria may be due to several factors related to the loss of red blood cells. the red blood cell fragments accumulate in the small vessels of the brain, kidney, heart muscle, liver, and other vital organs causing their blockage.

• Severe cold;
• The temperature rises rapidly to 104 degrees F to 106 degrees F;
• severe headache;
• Chills;
• Fever;
• Pain in the abdomen or muscles;
• Fatigue;
• Night sweats; 
• Shivering, or sweating;
• Diarrhea;
• Nausea, or vomiting;
• Fast heart rate;
• Mental confusion.

The life cycle of the mosquito

All transmitted malaria by the female Anopheles mosquito.  This insect consumes human blood to acquire a component for the production of her eggs.

Mosquitoes are found almost all over the world. the eyes of the mosquito are situated on the head. the head has a long sucking tube called a proboscis. female mosquito uses their proboscis to suck blood. male mosquito also has a proboscis, but they feed only on nectar and water.

The mosquito consists of 3 parts.

1. The Head, 
2. The Thorax, and 
3. The Abdomen. 

Malaria mosquito Breeding cycle

Mosquitoes are abundant in warm regions the female mosquito lays a large number of eggs at one time in the water. the larva comes out of an egg and after some time transforms into a pupa this pupa turns into a mosquito.

Prevention of malaria: malaria is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, so we protect ourselves from mosquito bites in the following ways.

1. wire-netting on the windows and doors.
2. use mosquito repellents.
3. use mosquito nets.
4. wear a full-sleeved nightdress.
5. controlled by destroying mosquitoes and their eggs in their breeding places.
6. filling of ditches where mosquitoes breed.
7. spraying kerosene oil or DDT on the surface of ponds and lakes so kill the eggs and larva of mosquitoes.
8. changing the water of room coolers.