A Review on Malarial Parasite
Hanif Ullah, Muhammad Inayatullah Khan, Nayab Ismail, Zahid Khan, Ghalib Sayyid · 2015
Malaria is a mosquito borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. There are four species of plasmodium i.e P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale and P. malariae. In Pakistan, two species are common Plasmodium vivax (74%) and P. falciparum (26%) the most dangerous. The primary vector species are Anopheles culicifacies, A. stephensi and A.arabiensis is considered as a major malaria vector and is widely distributed. Pathogenesis of malaria is P. malariae exhibits a 72 hour periodicity, whereas the other three species exhibit 48 hour cycles. Treatment of malaria is Artemisinin (Qingnasou) and Chloroquine is very active against P. falciparum rings as well as the later stages of the parasite. It is given orally or by rectal suppository and should only be used for treatment but not for prophylaxis. It is concluded that P. vivaxis the most common pathogen of malaria in Pakistan. Prevention requiresawareness of risk, bite avoidance, chemoprophylaxis (Taking preventive medicines if you are travelling to or requires awareness) and diagnosis made promptly with early treatment of an infected case.