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Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite Plasmodium. There are four identified species of this parasite causing human malaria.
1. 2. 3. 4.
MALARIA FACTS
Malartia has caused immense suffering to mankind. There are 500 million people suffering from malaria and approximately 5 million people die every year. Every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria in Africa, almost 3,000 children each day. Up to 23 percent of African infants are born with the malaria parasite.
TRANSMISSION
Malaria is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito.The parasite undergo asexual division in human host and sexual multiplication in mosquito host . The asexual cycle completes in two phases Pre-erythrocytic phase in liver cells Erythrocytic phase in blood cells
Anopheles
Pre-erythrocytic schizogony
The infective form of the parasite is called sporozoites. Once in the body after the mosquito bite, these sporozoites reach the liver parenchyma cells in 3040 minutes and start developing. Each sporozoite multiplies into 20-30000 merozoites, ruptures the liver cell and is liberated into the blood stream where it infects red blood cells. This phase of development within the liver is termed as Pre-erythrocytic schizogony. Since only a few hepatocytes are affected, this phase does not produce any symptoms.
Erythrocytic schizogony
Merozoites released from the liver schizonts infect red blood cells. The ring stage trophozoites mature into schizonts, releasing merozoites which infect fresh red cells. Some parasites differentiate into sexual erythrocytic stages (gametocytes). Blood stage parasites are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease.
Action of Chloroquine
The major action of chloroquine is to inhibit the formation of hemozoin from the heme released by the digestion of hemoglobin. Chloroquine accumulates in the food vacuole of the parasite and bind heme. This binding may prevent the heme being incorporated in to hemozoin crystal. As a result heme is accumulated in large quantity and leads to parasite death. Chloroquine resistance is due to a decreased accumulation of chloroquine in the food vacuole.
Immunity to malaria
Several lines of evidence suggest that protective immunity to malaria is possible
People living in endemic areas who are repeatedly exposed to malaria, develop a naturally acquired clinical immunity that controls the parasites in their blood, and that also protects them from severe disease Immunization with irradiated sporozoites has shown partial or complete protection in mice, monkeys and humans when they are subsequently exposed to malaria Experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of passive transfer of immunity in human volunteers.
1.
There are 4 species of malaria parasite and each species composed of a number of genetically different strains. Each strain require different vaccine.
2. During the course of malaria infection the human host confronts four distinct life stages. Each of these stages presents different antigens (targets) to the immune system.
3. The parasite has evolved a series of strategies that allow it to confuse, hide, and misdirect the human immune system.
2.
3.
II. Malaria resistant mosquito by genetically modifying bacteria that occur naturally in mosquitoes. Spit test.
Malaria Genome
The complete genome of all the three organism involved in transmission of malariathe parasite Plasmodium falciparum, mosquito vector Anopheles and the human host,has provided new tools for malaria research. the genes and the pathway involved in the transmission, pathogenicity and drug response of malaria and also opens doors for new drugs and vaccines development.
development
mosquito.
of
the
parasite
in
Anopheles
European Molecular Biologist discovered a pair of mosquito genes when one gene, called CTL4, is
large number of bacteria than to grow large number of mosquitoes. To spread these GM bacteria in the wild
population by creating artificial refuges (feed) for mosquitoes containing cotton balls impregnated with sugar and GM bacteria.
Flightless Mosquitoes
A new strain of genetically altered male mosquitoes passes their genes to females making the next generation unable to fly. This alteration disrupts wing muscle development in female. Males ability to fly is unaffected, and they show no ill effect from carrying the gene.
Spit Test
Genetic and antigen tests to find malaria infection
in saliva. An easy and painless saliva test would help
screening
more
people
who
don't
present
Malaria culture
Malaria culture is the method to grow malaria parasites continuously in an invitro environment. Infected red blood cells are incubated in a culture bottle at 37 C together with a nutrient medium RPMI 1640 and serum or serum substitute Albumax. A special feature of the incubation is the special gas mixture mostly nitrogen (93% nitrogen, 4% CO2 and 3% O2) allowing the parasite to grow at 37 C in an incubator.
exact gas mixture is the use of candle jar. The candle jar is an airtight container in which the
culture and a lit candle are placed. The burning candle consumes some of the Oxygen and produces
CO2 which
acts
as
a fire extinguisher
at
Candle Jar
Culex
1. Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs singly just above the water line in areas that are periodically wet. The egg can remain dormant until they are flooded or conditions are favorable for hatching. Aedes prefer to lay their eggs in artificial water filled container or tree holes. 2. Culex species prefer polluted standing water with large amount of organic material. Eggs are laid on the water surface in rafts, 100 or more eggs. 3. Anopheles mosquitoes breed in permanent bodies of fresh water. Eggs supported by flots on each side, are laid singly on the surface of water. 4. Eggs laid on water surface hatch in one to three days
Eggs
ANOPHELES
AEDES
CULEX
Larva
The egg hatch into first stage larva. There are four larval stages.
Most larvae (Aedes and Culex) have siphon tubes for breathing and hang upside down from the water surface.
Anopheles larvae do not have a siphon and lie horizontally at the surface of the water.
The larva feed on micro-organisms and organic matter in the water. On the fourth molt the larva changes into a pupa
Mosquito larva
Larvae
Pupa
EMERGING ADULT
Adult
Adult males and females feed on plant sugars and nectar for energy. The females also feed on blood to provide nutrients for the developing eggs. Anopheline adults rest with an angle to the surface, whereas Aedes and Culex species keep their bodies parallel to the surface, which makes them easy to identify when sitting on the skin Aedes mosquitoes are day-biters whereas Culex bites at dusk and after dark.