Malaria

• Who discovered the malarial parasite in 1880?

  Charles Laveran
• What staining method was developed by Romanowsky in 1891?

  A staining method for malarial parasite identification
• Which Italian scientists described the life cycle of the malarial parasite?

  Amico Bignami, Battista Grassi, and Giovanni Bastianelli
• What role do Anopheles mosquitoes play in malaria transmission?

  They act as vectors of malarial parasites
• What type of disease is malaria?

  It is a mosquito-borne life-threatening protozoan disease
• What genus do malaria parasites belong to?

  Plasmodium
• Why is malaria considered the most important tropical disease?

  Its incidence is increasing due to vector resistance and drug-resistant parasites
• How many species of Plasmodium cause malaria in humans?

  Five species
• What is the name of the malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum?

  Malignant tertian malaria
• Which Plasmodium species is associated with quartan malaria?

  Plasmodium malariae
• What is a hypnozoite?

  A dormant liver stage of Plasmodium vivax and P. ovale
• What is the difference between relapse and recrudescence in malaria?

  Relapse occurs after a dormant phase, while recrudescence is a reactivation of an existing infection
• Where does malaria predominantly occur?

  In poor tropical and subtropical areas
• Who are the most vulnerable groups to malaria?

  Young children and pregnant women
• How many people live in areas at risk of malaria transmission?

  1. 3 billion people
• What was the estimated number of malaria deaths in 2010?

  660,000 deaths
• Which region had the highest percentage of malaria deaths in 2010?

  African Region (91%)
• What are the two main stages of the malarial life cycle?

  Schizogony in humans and sporogony in mosquitoes
• What is the infective form of the malaria parasite?

  Sporozoites
• What happens during primary exo-erythrocytic schizogony?

  Sporozoites invade liver cells and develop into schizonts
• How long does the primary exo-erythrocytic cycle last for P. falciparum?

  6 days
• What occurs during erythrocytic schizogony?

  Merozoites multiply within red blood cells
• How does P. falciparum differ from other malaria species during erythrocytic schizogony?

  It aggregates in the capillaries of the brain and internal organs
• What are the two types of gametocytes in malaria?

  Microgametocyte (male) and macrogametocyte (female)
• What is required for the sexual cycle to continue in the mosquito?

  At least 12 gametocytes/µl in the human blood
• What happens to the ookinete in the mosquito's stomach?

  It penetrates the epithelial lining and develops into an oocyst
• What is the hypnozoite stage in P. vivax and P. ovale?

  A resting phase before asexual multiplication
• What is the difference between relapse and recrudescence in terms of infection?

  Relapse is due to new merozoites from the liver, while recrudescence is due to existing infection
• How is malaria transmitted to humans?

  Through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito
• What are some other ways malaria can be transmitted?

  Blood transfusion, congenital transmission, and contaminated syringes
• What are the main clinical features of malaria?

  Fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, body pains, anaemia, jaundice, and coma
• What are some complications of malaria?

  Anaemia, cerebral malaria, algid malaria, sepsis, and blackwater fever
• What chronic complications can occur in endemic areas?

  Nephrotic syndrome, chronic ill-health, and recurrent malarial attacks
• What is the general treatment approach for malaria?

  Supportive measures and specific antimalarial drugs
• What was once the drug of choice for malaria treatment?

  Chloroquine
• What is the WHO recommendation for malaria treatment now?

  Use of ACTs - Artemisinin combination therapy
• What are some classifications of antimalarial drugs?

  Aminoquinolines, quinoline methanols, antifolates, and antibiotics
• What is the role of Mefloquine in malaria prevention?

  It provides over 90% protection against malaria
• What factors influence the choice of antimalarial drugs?

  Parasite strain, patient’s health, and availability of medications
• What is the significance of G6PD deficiency in malaria treatment?

  It affects the patient's response to certain antimalarial drugs