Scientific Name: Plasmodium falciparum
![](https://parasiteguide.libbymitchell.dcreate.domains/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/p.-falciparum.jpg)
Morphological Characteristics
Morphology depends on which stage of the life cycle the protozoa is in. The Plasmodium is in ring form in the blood cells and also continues to the trophozoite structure and schizont structure in the blood cells. Gametocytes are the sexual forms of the parasite.
Identification Methods
The first symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, but a more sever case may make identification more easily. The patient may experience coma, confusion, severe anemia, and respiratory issues. The parasite can also be identified using a blood smear and microscopy. Antigen tests are also available.
Life Cycle
-Female Anopheles mosquitoes act as vectors to transmit this disease from human to human
-The parasites grow and multiply in the liver cells and then in the red cells of the blood
-The parasites continue growth in red blood cells which destrots them and releases parasites which invade other cells
-When the mosquito feeds on humans’ blood, it ingests the parasites from the red blood cells
-The parasites then mate in the mosquito gut and a form of the parasite called the sporozoite migrates to the mosquito’s salivary glands
-Now when the mosquito takes blood from another human, the parasite is passed to the blood of that human
HOST INFORMATION
- Vector: mosquito
- Definitive: Human
- The parasite develops more quickly in the mosquito when the temperature is higher
- Optimum temperature is 27ºC
- Mosquitoes also develop more quickly at warmer temperatures
- Altitude also affects development because lower altitudes generally have higher temperatures
- Mosquitoes breed in water, so the correct amount of rainfall leads to increased populations of mosquitoes
- Sometimes less rainfall favors mosquito breeding
- More susceptible mosquitoes = higher likelihood of transmission to susceptible humans
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
This parasite is found primarily in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Malaria is most highly transmitted in Sub-Saharan Africa.
SOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/index.html
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=89&printable=1