Etiology (Causes) of Malaria

Etiology (Causes) of Malaria explains how Plasmodium parasites transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes cause malaria infection in humans.

Etiology (Causes) of Malaria

• Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. The main species causing malaria in humans are:

1. 1. Plasmodium falciparum: Most severe, can cause cerebral malaria.
   2. Plasmodium vivax: Causes relapses due to liver hypnozoites.
   3. Plasmodium ovale: Similar to P. vivax, but less common.
   4. Plasmodium malariae: Can cause chronic infection.
   5. Plasmodium knowlesi: Zoonotic malaria, found in Southeast Asia.

Transmission & Life Cycle

1. Mosquito Stage

   • The mosquito injects sporozoites into the human bloodstream during a bite.

2. Liver Stage (Pre-Erythrocytic Stage)

   • Sporozoites invade liver cells, multiply, and form merozoites.

3. Blood Stage (Erythrocytic Cycle)

   • Merozoites infect red blood cells (RBCs), multiply, rupture RBCs, and cause fever.

4. Gametocyte Formation

   • Some parasites develop into gametocytes, which are taken up by a mosquito.

5. Mosquito Cycle

   • Gametocytes mature into sporozoites, completing the cycle.

Symptoms of Malaria

• High fever, chills, sweating (classic tertian or quartan fever cycles)
• Headache, muscle pain, fatigue
• Severe malaria (P. falciparum) → Organ failure, coma, death

Prevention & Treatment

• Prevention: Mosquito control (nets, repellents), prophylactic drugs (chloroquine, doxycycline).
• Treatment: Antimalarial drugs (artemisinin-based combination therapies, chloroquine, mefloquine).

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