Malaria

• What causes malaria?

  Plasmodium protozoa
• What are the 4 different species of Plasmodium protozoa that cause disease in man?

  Plasmodium falciparum

  Plasmodium vivax

  Plasmodium ovale

  Plasmodium malariae
• Which species of Plasmodium protozoa causes nearly all episodes of severe malaria?

  Plasmodium falciparum
• Which species of Plasmodium protozoa is the most common cause of benign malaria?

  Plasmodium vivax
• What are some protective factors against malaria?

  Sickle-cell trait

  G6PD deficiency

  HLA-B53

  Absence of Duffy antigens
• What are some signs and symptoms of malaria?

  Fever - paroxysms (hallmark symptom)

  Malaise

  Fatigue

  GI, resp, derm and neuro symptoms

  Splenomegaly

  AKI

  Coag abnormalities
• What is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis?

  Blood film