Question

The pathogen I chose was Malaria, what is the morphology, gram stain characteristics, virulence factors, susceptibility to antibiotics, host cells, nutritional needs, growth conditions, mechanisms used to evade the immune system and invasion into the host(s), interactions with the hosts and diseases caused and affected body systems for this pathogen. Also explain symptoms when the pathogen infects a host, as well as a diagnosis and the therapeutic intervention needed after infection. Information on statistics related to infection (epidemiology) and any new research findings related to the pathogen can also be used.

Answer 1

Malaria is one of the most common infectious disease caused by Protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium.

Four distinct Plasmodiun species infects human:

1.Plasmodium falciparum

2.Plasmodium Vivax

3.Plasmodium Malariae

4.Plasmodium Ovale

Morphological Features of Human Plasmodium:

Plasmodium Falciparum

Numerous rings | Smaller Rings |no trophosites or schizonts | crescent shaped gametocytes

Plasmodium Vivax

Enlarged erythrocyte | Scuffners dote | Ameboid trophosite

Plasmodium Ovale

Similar to P.Vivax | compact trophozite | fewer merozoites in schizont | elongated erythrocyte

Plasmodium Malariae

Compact Parasite | merozoites in rosette

Gram Stain Charecterstics:

Plasmodium pathogens can appear either Gram positive or Gram Negative.they are not known to have a particular gram stain.

Virulence:

plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly of the human malarial parasite.Virulence of Plasmodium falciparum is associated with the expression of variant surface Antigens designated PfEMP1(P.falciparum erythrocyte membrane Protein)

Mechanism used to invade,nutritional growth,Affected Body Systems.

Human malaria occurs by transmission of Plasmodium sporosites by bite from female anopheline mosquito.the sporozites travel from salivary gland of the mosquito through the blood stream to the host to Liver where they invade hepatocytes.These cells divide many 1000 folds until mature tissue schizonta are formed.The liver schizonts ruptures after 6-30 days,releases merozites to blood stream where they invade RBCs.Within Rbcs parasites digest hemoglobin.As hemoglobin is digested toxic metabolite hemoxin is formed and isolated on parasites food vacoule.

The intracellular parasites modifies the erythrocyt in several days.They derive energy from anerobic glycolysis of glucose to lactic acid which contibutes to clinical manifestation of hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis.parasite reduce red cell membrane deformability causing hemolysis and accelerated spleenic clearance which may contribute to Anemia.

Symptoms:

Shaking Chills,High fever,profuse sweating,nausea,vomiting,abdominal pain.Diarrhoea,cough

Diagnose and Treatments:

The Doctor conducts a physical examination and tests.Blood tests are the only way to confirm Malaria.

Blood tests can help by showing

• Presence of parasite in Blood
• Which type pf parasite
• If infection is caused by parasite resistant to drug

Treatments:

ACTs & Chloroquine Phosphate

Information on Statistics related to Infection:

• In 2018 there was an estimated 228 million cases worldwide
• Estimated death rates stood to 405000 in 2018
• Children under Age 5 were more vulnurable.They accounted 67% of malarial death on 2018 worlwide
• African Region carry a high propotion of malaria Burden

Antimalarial Drug ressistance is a recurring Problem.Protecting the efficiency of antimalarial drugs is critical to Malaria elimination and control.

RTS,S/AS01 Is the first and to-date vaccine that can significantly reduce Malaria

New research Findings:

Transcriptomatic studies on malarial parasite has revelead:

• Technical Challenges and solutions
• Basic Parasite Biology
• Immune responses
• Gene expression profiles associated with asympomatic infections
• Effects of host immunity on parasite gene expression