The cause
of malaria is plasmodium parasite. There are different types of plasmodium
species that cause malaria. These include:
of malaria is plasmodium parasite. There are different types of plasmodium
species that cause malaria. These include:
Ø Plasmodium Falciparum
Ø Plasmodium Vivax
Ø Plasmodium Malaria
Ø Plasmodium Ovale
Plasmodium
Falciparum: Plasmodium falciparum can also cause
malignant tertian malaria and most serious among all types. The onset is
gradual and remittent or irregular. The erythrocyte cycle takes between 36-48
hours. The clinical manifestation differs from individual to individual and
they include mental confusion, anorexia, diarrhoea and headache. It affects
different organs such as cerebrum leading to cerebral malaria and cerebral
malaria can lead to convulsion, delirium and coma.
Falciparum: Plasmodium falciparum can also cause
malignant tertian malaria and most serious among all types. The onset is
gradual and remittent or irregular. The erythrocyte cycle takes between 36-48
hours. The clinical manifestation differs from individual to individual and
they include mental confusion, anorexia, diarrhoea and headache. It affects
different organs such as cerebrum leading to cerebral malaria and cerebral
malaria can lead to convulsion, delirium and coma.
Plasmodium
Vivax: This is mainly in the tropics, subtropics
and in some temperate regions. This type cause benign tertian malaria. It does
not respond easily to treatment regimen. The erythrocytic cycle take 48 hours.
The incubation period may be longer than that of plasmodium falciparum.
Vivax: This is mainly in the tropics, subtropics
and in some temperate regions. This type cause benign tertian malaria. It does
not respond easily to treatment regimen. The erythrocytic cycle take 48 hours.
The incubation period may be longer than that of plasmodium falciparum.
Plasmodium
Malariae: This type is much less common, is especially
in East and West Africa, India and Ceylon etc. It is caused by quartan malaria.
The disease is commoner than tertian but responds well to treatment. Haematuria,
oedema usually appears during the course.
Malariae: This type is much less common, is especially
in East and West Africa, India and Ceylon etc. It is caused by quartan malaria.
The disease is commoner than tertian but responds well to treatment. Haematuria,
oedema usually appears during the course.
Plasmodium
Ovale: This is found regularly and common in
central Africa and South America. It causes ovale malaria. The erythrocytic
cycle takes 48 hours as in plasmodium vivax. Infection with this type of
plasmodium ovale tend to be mild than those caused by plasmodium vivax.
Ovale: This is found regularly and common in
central Africa and South America. It causes ovale malaria. The erythrocytic
cycle takes 48 hours as in plasmodium vivax. Infection with this type of
plasmodium ovale tend to be mild than those caused by plasmodium vivax.
