DEVELOPMENT OF THE MALARIAL PARASITE IN HUMANS

Malaria is caused by a protozoan. It is
widespread in tropical
Africa and south-east Asia. Malaria is
caused by certain species of
(Plasmodium malariae and
Plasmodium falciparum).
The parasites are transmitted to
humans by the bites of infected
female (Anopheles) mosquitoes.
The asexual cycle of the malarial
parasite occurs in humans. When
an infected mosquito bites a healthy
person, it introduces parasites
at the sporozoite stage into his body.
These sporozoites migrate to
the liver, multiply and develop into
trophozoites which then invade
the red blood cells. In these cells,
they divide asexually forming
numerous merozoites which when
liberated, invade many other red
blood
cells. Some merozoites also develop
into gametocytes. A mosquito picks
up these gametocytes when it bites
an infected person. The gametocytes
develop in the mosquito’s stomach
where they reproduce sexually to
form sporozoites. These migrate to
its salivary glands, and are
eventually transmitted to healthy
humans through its bites.
SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA INCLUDE=>
*. Cyclic occurrence of chills (violent
shaking).
*. Fever.
*. Profuse sweating.
These symptoms occur when the
merozoites destroy the red blood
cells, causing toxins to be released
into the blood. Headache and
nausea are the other common
symptoms. The secondary effects are
mainly=>
*. Anaemia.
*. Jaundice.
*. And enlargement of the spleen.