Introduction
Plasmodium malaria is one of five species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans. The first evidence of Plasmodium Malariae appears in ancient medical writings from China, India, and Egypt, suggesting that the disease was present in these regions for thousands of years. In 1885, it was identified as the cause of malaria by Alphonse Laveran, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1907 for his discovery.
As malaria control measures, such as spraying insecticides, improved in the mid-20th century, the incidence of P. malariae decreased significantly. Today, Plasmodium Malaria is still one of the significant causes of malaria in parts of the world. Still, effective treatments are available, and continued efforts to control the spread of malaria are helping reduce its incidence.
Causes
Malaria is usually spread to people when a female Anopheles mosquito bites them. Once inside the human body, parasites migrate to the liver, develop, and reproduce. Then they enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells, causing a wide range of symptoms that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Anopheles mosquitoes are nocturnal, and they require a specific type of environment to breed, including standing water and shrubbery (Packard, 2021). These mosquitoes typically bite during the night, and their bites are painless, so they may go unnoticed.
In some cases, Plasmodium malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or the sharing of needles. Additionally, pregnant women are more likely to transmit the infection to their unborn babies. In some areas, Plasmodium malaria can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation and hygiene.
Poor sanitation can lead to stagnant water and other places where mosquitoes can breed and spread the infection (Kotepui et al., 2020). Hence, people traveling to areas where the infection is endemic should take preventive measures, including the use of insect repellent, sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, and taking antimalarial medication.
Symptoms and Management
One of the four species of Plasmodium that can cause malaria in humans is Plasmodium malariae. The other three species are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium ovale. Plasmodium malaria is the least common of the four species of malaria in humans, and it is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions.
People infected with Plasmodium Malaria may experience fever, shivering, headaches, and sore muscles. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and dark urine. In extreme circumstances, the illness can lead to anemia, jaundice, convulsions, unconsciousness, and even death. The fever usually has a slow onset and is of low grade (Packard, 2021). It may last for several days, then subside for several days, and then return in a cyclic pattern. This cyclic fever pattern is known as quartan malaria.
Treatment for Plasmodium malariae is similar to that for other types of malaria and typically includes medications such as chloroquine, quinine, or mefloquine. In severe cases, intravenous medications may be necessary. It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of the signs and symptoms of Plasmodium Malaria (Packard, 2021). Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease can help prevent serious and even fatal complications.
Diagnostic Testing
Diagnosis of this Plasmodium Malaria infection is typically made with a combination of clinical symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The most common laboratory test used to diagnose Plasmodium Malariae is the malaria smear. This test involves taking a blood sample from the patient and examining it under a microscope for the presence of Plasmodium Malaria parasites. The sample is usually taken from a finger prick and should be stained with Giemsa or Field stains to allow the parasites to be seen. The normal range for this type of test is negative; thus, the presence of Plasmodium malariae in the sample is considered a positive result (Kotepui et al., 2020).
Another test used to detect Plasmodium Malariae is the malaria antigen test. This test uses a blood sample to detect the presence of Plasmodium Malariae antigens in the blood. This test is highly sensitive and can detect the presence of the parasite even when parasite levels are low. Again, the presence of Plasmodium Malariae antigens in the sample is a positive result (Packard, 2021).
Another sensitive test used to diagnose Plasmodium Malariae is the malaria polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This test uses a sample of blood to detect the genetic material of the Plasmodium Malaria parasite. The normal range for this test is negative, meaning no parasite genetic material is present, and vice versa. It is essential to note that these tests can only detect the presence of the parasite, not its severity (Kotepui et al., 2020). Therefore, further testing may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the infection.
Conclusion
Plasmodium malariae is one of the five species of Plasmodium responsible for causing malaria in people; it was first identified in 1885. The infection typically manifests through symptoms like fever, shivering, headaches, and muscle soreness. While transmission most commonly occurs via the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, other routes are also possible. Diagnosis involves various laboratory tests, including malaria smears, antigen tests, and PCR tests. Treatment usually includes antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine, quinine, or mefloquine. Thanks to enhanced malaria control efforts, the prevalence of this infection has declined substantially in recent decades.
References
Giemsa-stained micrograph of a mature Plasmodium malariae schizont [Microscope image], by Dr. Melvin, 1973, Web.
How Is Malaria Diagnosed? (n.d.). Web.
Kotepui, M., Kotepui, K. U., Milanez, G. D., & Masangkay, F. R. (2020). Global prevalence and mortality of severe Plasmodium malariae infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Malaria Journal, 19(1), 1-13.
Packard, R. M. (2021). The making of a tropical disease: a short history of malaria. JHU Press.