Malaria is an infectious disease that is caused by a parasite known as a Plasmodium. There are nearly 170 different species of Plasmodium, but only four species cause malaria in humans.MayoClinic.com: Malaria: Causes
Malaria is transmitted to humans from mosquitoes that carry the parasite. While malaria is treatable, if it is left untreated, serious complications can occur. Below you will find an illustration that shows the infection cycle and discusses the specific stages of development of plasmodia with the mosquito and the infected human.
Other information that can be found on this site includes the geographic distribution of the primary four different species of Plasmodium and the distribution of resistance to the chloroquine and mefloquine as given by the World Health Organization. Below you will also find information on the symptoms of this disease, Related Mahalo Pages, Google links and sections that contain news and blogs.
Species of Plasmodium Species That Cause Malaria and Their Geographic Distribution
- Plasmodium falciparum - the cause of the severest type of malaria. This species is found in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. http://malaria.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_WTD023865.html
- Plasmodium vivax - Found in Central and South America, India and Southeast Asia
- Plasmodium malariae - Found in Central and South America, Africa, Asia and Southeast Asia
- Plasmodium ovale - Found in Sub-Saharan Africa https://www.msu.edu/course/zol/316/psppgeo.htm
Antibiotic Resistance in Malaria
Antibiotic (chloroquine and mefloquine) resistance is a serious problem in the worldwide effort to control malaria. View the featured maps below for a graphic illustration of the areas where this is a problem. You may also visit the WHO site for more information.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have malaria, please consult your doctor.
Infection Cycle for Malaria
Mosquitoes pick up the plasmodium gametocytes from infected humans and transmit it to other humans. The gametocyte develops into a sporozoite within the mosquito. The mosquite transmits the sporozoites into the bloodstream which migrate with the blood to the liver. Some of the sporozoites mature to become merozoites in the liver. The merozoites are taken up by red blood cells and some become ring-shaped trophozoites that can split and become schizonts or they can become gametocytes. Schizonts cause red blood cells to burst and release merozoites, which causes the violent fevers common with malaria.
Distrubution of Chloroquine-Resistant Malaria in the Eastern Hemisphere
Resistance to chloroquine can be found in most of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and all of the southern countries of Asia.
Distribution of Chloroquine-Resistant Malaria in the Americas
Geographic distribution of mefloquine-resistant malaria
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
Causes 1 million deaths per yearCDC: Malaria
-
Fact:
Infects 300-500 million per yearCDC: Malaria
-
Fact:
-
Alternative names
Blackwater Fever, Falciparum malaria, Quartan malaria, Plasmodium, Biduoterian fever, Tertian malaria
