The Causative Agent of Malaria
Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous of the causative agents of malaria – it is associated with up to 90% of deaths from this disease (Mayo Foundation, 2023). It was first described as the causative agent of malaria in 1880 by the French scientist Laveran. This species of Plasmodium is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the Earth. This is one of the types of protozoa that goes through the cycle of its development through the change of hosts. Plasmodium is in the sporozoites stage in the mosquito’s salivary glands (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). In the human body, metamorphosis occurs, and the microorganism successively passes through the steps of schizonts in the liver, then turns into merozoites and acquires the ability to infect red blood cells. The epidemiology and symptoms of malaria reflect this complex system of metamorphoses.
How the Microbe Is Transmitted to Humans
It is important to understand how the microbe is transmitted to humans. This microorganism enters the human body through the bites of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. When it bites, the mosquito squirts out the contents of its salivary glands, which contain Plasmodium in the form of sporozoites. If a mosquito attacks a Plasmodium-infected person, the pathogen from the patient’s body enters the mosquito’s stomach. After passing through the stage of sexual reproduction, the microorganism migrates to the mosquito’s salivary glands, from where it can again spread to humans.
Epidemiology
This disease can be hazardous for any person who does not have immunity. The leading risk group susceptible to infection with Plasmodium falciparum is people who permanently or temporarily live in the microorganism’s distribution zone. To become infected, certain circumstances must be met; in particular, an infected mosquito must be able to bite a person. The risks of being infected increase if you do not take measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites (Zekar & Sharman, 2022). In addition, the least resistant to this pathogen are young children, pregnant women, and people with the impaired immune system.
How to Avoid Transmission of the Microbe
The primary way to protect people from Plasmodium falciparum infection is to protect them from mosquito bites. One can use mosquito nets, chemical protection, and closed clothing. If a person plans a trip to an area endemic to Plasmodium falciparum and has an increased risk of infection, a doctor may advise the traveler to take preventive antimalarial medication. Finally, malaria vaccination has been actively developed in recent years. WHO recommends the use of vaccination for high-risk children (Zekar & Sharman, 2022). Vaccination recommendations for the adult population are still under development. If all precautions are followed, the chances of getting infected are significantly reduced.
Signs and Symptoms
The main symptoms of the disease are high fever, headache and muscle pain, chills, profuse sweating, nausea or diarrhea, and severe weakness. Often the fever in malaria has an undulating course, with alternating periods of deterioration and improvement. This alternation is explained by the spasmodic entry of the organism into the bloodstream from the liver, where it multiplies. Respiratory, liver, and kidney disorders, hallucinations, and coma are possible in severe cases.
Treatment and Side-Effects
Chloroquine and Artemisinin-based drugs are the most commonly used antimalarials (Mayo Foundation, 2023). It is important to note that many Plasmodium falciparum is now resistant to chloroquine, although this drug is common in developing countries as the mainstay of medical prevention and treatment. The main side effects of this drug are nausea and vomiting, as well as itchy skin and liver damage. On the other hand, artemisinin-based therapy has the advantage of high efficacy and rare side effects, mainly pruritus
Long-Term Effects That May Occur from the Infection
The most dangerous complication of malaria is its transition to the cerebral form. In this case, the patient develops severe encephalopathy and coma with brain damage. Other dangerous long-term effects are severe anemia, liver and kidney disorders, and ascites. The risks of complications increase in patients at risk, especially young children.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). CDC – dpdx – malaria. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023). Malaria. Mayo Clinic. Web.
Zekar, L., & Sharman, T. (2022). Plasmodium falciparum malaria – statpearls – NCBI bookshelf. National Library of Medicine. Web.