Plasmodiums Terminology Phylum Apicomplexa Subphylum Sporozoa Class Telosporea Subclass Hmosporina Family Plasmodiid Vectored primarily by female

female Anopheles mosquito Distribution Causes malaria disease

Four species of the genus Plasmodium: P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum. P. vivax accounts for the vast majority of malarial infection, because o/t wide distribution o/t parasite. P. vivax is the only one that extends through tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions.

P. falciparum, which causes falciparum malaria, is confined to the tropics and subtropics, and is probably the most lethal form of malaria. Pockets of P. malariae infection are distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. P. ovale is primarily confined to tropical West Africa, South America, and Asia.

Life cycle

Complex life cycle, involving both sexual and asexual phases. Asexual phase, called schizogony, occurs in the vertebrate (which is intermediate host). Sexual phase, called sporogony, occurs in the insect, the definitive host.

Life Cycle Exoerytrocytic Cycle in Man

Anopheline mosquito injects infective sporozoites into man. Migrate to liver parenchyma where schizogony begins (called exoerythrocytic/ preerythrocytic schizogony), produces exoerythrocytic schizonts exoerythrocytic merozoits invade RBC.

In P. vivax and P. ovale, dormant exoerythrocytic schizonts (hipnozoits) occurs.

Life Cycle Erythrocytic Cycle in Man When exoerythrocytic merozoits invade RBC, erytrocytic cycle begins

Merozoits ring form trophozoits mature trophozoits schizonts erythrocytic schozogony (erythrocytic) merozoits gametocytogenesis gametocytes (macrogametocytes & microgametocytes)

Life Cycle Sexual Phase in Mosquito

After a mosquito has ingested gametocytes, fertilization occurs zygotes ookinete oocyst bursts out sporozoits reach salivary glands. When the mosquito injects saliva while obtaining a blood meal, it also injects sporozoits into human host. Only female Anopheles take blood meals.

Sexual Phase in Mosquito

Anopheles Vector of Plasmodiums

Blood Smear Thick and thin blood smear

Plasmodium vivax
General

Synonims: Haemamoeba vivax, Plasmodium malariae tertiana. Prepatent period: 8-17 days (depends on the number of inoculated sporozoits and strain), usually 14 days. Prepatent period is also called biological incubation period: the period required since sporozoits enter a human until it is demonstrated in the blood stream.

Morphology in Stained Preparation

The earliest erythrocytic trophozoit (ring form): blue-stained ring of cytoplasm with a red chromatin dot.

Mature ring form: the plasmodium enlarge, the rig form becomes irregular and larger, Schufners dots sometimes appear.

Trophozoit: amoeboid cytoplasm. Mature trophozoit: the chromatin in process of division.

Schizont: progressive steps in division (presegmenting) Mature schizont: consist of 8-24 merozoits, usually 12-18

Macrogametocyte: female gametocyte, stains deep blue, smaller nucleus, chromatin is arranged in a compact mass near the periphery. Microgametocyte: male gametocyte, stains pale blue, larger nucleus, the chromatin is irregularly situated within the cytoplasm.

Morphology of all stadiums

Plasmodium ovale
General

Synonims: Plasmodium vivax minutum

Prepatent period: minimal 8 days, average 14-16 days Morphology in Stained Preparation

Ring form: resembles to that of P. vivax, chromatin dot is larger Trophozoit: non-amoeboid, infected RBC is oval in shape with fimbriation

Mature schizont: contains 6-12 merozoits, usually 8. Gametocyte: similar to P. vivax

Plasmodium ovale
Morphology of all stadiums

Plasmodium malariae
General

Synonims: Plasmodium malariae quartana, Plasmodium quartana

Prepatent period: minimal 14 days, average 28-37 days Morphology in Stained Preparation Ring form: compact cytoplasm Mature trophozoit: band form Schizont: contains 6-12 merozoits, usually 8, arranged in a rossette formation

Gametocyte: resembles to those of P. vivax

Morphology of all stadiums

Plasmodium falciparum
General

Synonims: Plasmodium tropica

Prepatent period: minimal 5 days, average 8-12 days Morphology in Stained Preparation Ring form: vary in shape; double chromatin, double infection, accole Trophozoit: rare in peripheral blood after half grown Schizont: consist of 8-26 merozoits, usually 8-18, rare in peripheral blood

Microgametocyte: sausage shape, chromatin diffuse, large nucleus Macrogametocyte: longer and more slender, central chromatin, pigment and nucleus more compact

Morphology in Stained Preparation

Morphology of all stadiums

Malaria
References

Heelan, J. S., Ingersoll, F. W.: Blood and Tissue Sporozoa in Essentials of Human Parasitology, Delmar Thomson Learning, US, 2002 Beaver, P. C., Jung, R. C., Cupp, E. W.: Malaria Parasites and Piroplasm in Clinical Parasitology, 9th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1984 Peters, W., Pasvol, G.: Arthropod-borne Infections in Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 5th ed., Mosby, London, 2001