Malaria: General Information

Prepared by:

NOE P. MENDEZCENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY (CMU)

npolomendez@gmail.com

Reference

Murray, P. R., Rosenthal, K. S., Kobayashi, G. S. and Pfaller, M. A. 2002. Medical Microbiology (4th Ed.).Mosby, Inc. United States of America.

Report OutlineReferenceReport OutlineMalariaEpidemiologyIncubation Period and InfectionSymptomsTreatmentPrevention and Control

MalariaCaused by blood protozoa

Plasmodium spp.Mosquitos serves as vectors

(Anopheles)Two hosts: mosquito (sexual) and human or

other organisms (asexual)Four species:

Plasmodium vivaxPlasmodium malariaePlasmodium ovalePlasmodium falciparum

Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria cont…

blood transfusion (Transfussion malaria) congenital acquisition (Congenital malaria)DeadlyP. falciparum causes cerebral malaria

Epidemiology• P. vivax P. ovale P. malariae P. falciparum

Most prevalent.

Tropics, subtropics,

and temperate regions.

Distributed mainly in tropical Africa.

Also found in Asia and

South America.

Occurs primarily in

the same subtropical

and temperate regions but

are less prevalent.

Exclusively in tropical

and subtropical

regions.

Incubation Period and InfectionP. vivax P. ovale P. malariae P. falciparum

Usually 10-17 days but if left

untreated, infection could last for several

years.

Infection lasts for about a

year.

Incubation is 18-40 days but possibly several

months to years. If left untreated,

infections may last as long as

20 years

Incubation period is 7-10

days.

SymptomsAfter incubation period, the patient will experience

HeadacheMuscle painsPhotophobiaAnorexiaNauseaVomiting

Then

• Chills

• Fever

• Malarial rigors

For P. falciparum:

• Daily chills and fever

• Severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Malarial pigment

TreatmentCombination of supportive and

chemotheraphySupportive Therapies

• Bed rest

• Relief for fever and headache

• Regulation of fluid balance

• Blood transfusion

Treatment Cont….Chemotherapies

• Suppressive –avoid infection and clinical symptoms

• Therapeutic- erythrocytic cycle

• Radical cure- eradication of the exoerrythrocytic cycle in liver

• Gametocidal- destroy the erythrocytic gametocytes to prevent their transmission by mosquito.

Treatment Cont…Chloroquine

Drug of choice for suppression and treatmentPrimaquine

For radical cure and elimination of gametocytesOther Agents

MefloquineQuininePyrimethamine-sulfadoxin (Fansidar)Doxycycline

Prevention and ControlControl of mosquito breeding

Screening

Netting

Wearing protective clothes

Insect repellents