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Flashcards in Malaria Deck (20)
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1
Q

Vectors

A

biological (more efficient) or mechanical. Many insects, esp mosquitoes. Controlling vector = controlling disease. Introducing a new vector somewhere can result in a new outbreak

2
Q

How to tell which mosquito is which

A

Anopheles: resting position is pointing up, vector for malaria. Culex: resting position is more parallel, vector for west nile virus

3
Q

Distribution of malaria

A

Generally closer to the equator. Some strains are resistant to certain drugs. Affects 40% of world pop, 3 million deaths/year. 90% in sub-saharan Africa.

4
Q

Malaria fatalities in travellers

A

usually 1-5%, >20% in severe (can occur within 36-48 hours). Usually death results when people don’t recognize it’s malaria.

5
Q

P faciparum

A

infects all RBC stages. High mortality in non immune. Cannot relapse after treatment.

6
Q

P vivax

A

Only reticulocytes. relapses due to residual hepatic phase (an adaption for transmission in temperate climates)

7
Q

Life cycle of malaria**

A

Sexual reproduction in mosquito. Enters human bloodstream, goes to liver, reproduces asexually and progeny infect RBC. P. falciparum infects young and old RBC and causes lysis with its asexual reproduction (note there is no liver stage after this). P vivax infects young RBC (reticulocytes) and because it has a hypnozoite liver phase after the RBC phase (falciparum does NOT have this stage), relapses are possible after weeks/months symptom free.

8
Q

Genetic immunity to malaria

A

People with sickle cell anemia are less likely to get malaria. Thallasemia diseases and G6PD deficiency are also protective

9
Q

Malaria in pregnancy

A

Usually fatal to fetus. Parasite evade immune system in placenta. AB transfered to child (if it survives) only last so long too.

10
Q

Categories of malaria vaccine

A

Classify by parasite stages that are targeted: 1. pre-erythrocytic. 2. asexual blood stages. 3. mosquito stages

11
Q

Clinical effects of malaria

A

Asymptomatic or intermittently symptomatic in “immune” hosts. Febrile illness with temporary disability. Anemia, multiple mechanisms. Adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effects on other diseases (Burkitt’s lymphoma, HIV). *Organ failure b/c RBC get stuck (brain, kidney, lung etc.). *mortality 20% in severe malaria, even with optimal treatment. *Death (stars indicate falciparum)

12
Q

Common symptoms

A

Fever, chills, sweats, headaches, nausea, vomiting, malaise. Fairly non-specific, can be confused for other things.

13
Q

Severe malaria

A

Caused by P falciparum. Can cause RBCs to stick to endothelium, block small vessels, and cause organ damage. Life-threatening!

14
Q

Diagnosing malaria

A

Travel Hx! Lots of non specific symptoms, fever, spelenomegaly, thrombocytopenia. Look under microscope at blood smear. Hematuria, signs of anemia or hemolysis. PCR

15
Q

How to treat malaria

A

If unsure which species, assume the worst! Treat with atovaquone proguanil or if the symptoms are severe (unconscious, severe anemia, kidney failure, respiratory distress, acidosis, seizures, parasitemia >5%), use artesunate or quinine. For P. vivax, do follow up therapy with primaquine for hypnozoite stage

16
Q

Malaria control - personal and public

A

Health infrastructure strengthening. Mosquito Control Measures (*Insecticide—impregnated bed nets, Spraying programs). Vaccine - Someday…. Damage Reduction: Prompt diagnosis and treatment of acute cases. Chemoprophylaxis of selected groups (pregnant women, possibly young children, *travellers, specifically including Visiting friends and relative (VFR’s))

17
Q

WHO 3 pillars for control of malaria

A

diagnosis of malaria cases and effective treatment; distribution of insecticide-treated nets to populations at risk of malaria (especially children/pregnant women); indoor residual spraying - DDT - to reduce and eliminate malaria transmission.

18
Q

Info for travelers

A

A – Awareness of malaria risk B – Bite prevention C – Chemoprophylaxis D – prompt Diagnosis and Treatment. **If pregnant, avoid travel to malaria endemic areas

19
Q

Why important to take the malaria drugs before and after travel?

A

Prevent infection and kill anything still left inside you (hypnozoite)

20
Q

Cases - which travellers should you worry about most?

A

All are concerns, but anyone to West Africa is a concern b/c of the high density of infection.