Malaria

Question 1

Which parasite causes malaria? Which is the most deadly variant?

Answer 1

Plasmodium (- falciparum)

Question 2

Why is P. falciparum the most deadly variant?

Answer 2

High parasitic load, as it can infect red blood cells of all ages. Can also cause blood clotting because of rosetting, epithelial adherence. This prevents oxygen transport, which in turn causes organ damage

Question 3

Describe the plasmodium life cycle

Answer 3

It enters the bloodstream from mosquito saliva, moves to the liver and infects hepatocytes. Then, it enters the bloodstream and continuously infects red blood cell (erythrocytic cycle). Then gametocytes are produced which is suckde up by mosquitoes

Question 4

How does plasmodium remodel the red blood cells?

Answer 4

It consumes hemoglobulin, changes the cytoskeleton making the cell rigid, and change surface proteins and nutrient channels

Question 5

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Answer 5

Fever, splenomegaly, nausea, headache, malaise. Specifically on-and-off fever. Severe malaria may have coma; severe anemia; circulatory collapse

Question 6

What are some factors that determine the severity of disease?

Answer 6

Genetic factors (mutations hemoglobin structure; blood type), plasmodium species, age, immune status, pregnancy, co-infections

Question 7

Which surface protein is associated with cytoadhesion and rosetting?

Answer 7

PfEMP1

Question 8

How does plasmodium escape host immune system?

Answer 8

It can vary surface proteins (such as PfEMP1)