LIFE CYCLE OF PLASMODIUM { MALARIAL PARASITE)

description of life cycle of Plasmodium parasite which is responsible for causing malaria infection in humans.

1. Life cycle of Malarial parasite Plasmodium

2. MALARIA caused by unicellular parasites belonging to genus Plasmodium Global healthcare problem. 219 million malaria cases worldwide in 2017 435,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2017 Endemic in tropical and subtropical regions – Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America . Plasmodium infects the liver cells and Red blood cells in humans

3. 5 species cause malaria in humans P. falciparum P. vivax P. malariae P. ovale P. knowlesi

4. LIFE CYCLE 2 stages Sexual phase in the Anopheles mosquito Asexual phase in humans a) Exo-erythrocytic schizogony b) Erythrocytic schizogony Schizogony - asexual reproduction by multiple fission • The infectious stage of malaria in humans - Sporozoite (found in the salivary glands of female mosquitoes).

5. EXO-ERYTHROCYTIC STAGE Parasites inside hepatocyte → Schizont (containing thousands of merozoites ) → infected hepatocytes release Merozoites → infect red cells.

6. EXO-ERYTHROCYTIC STAGE P . vivax and P. ovale form dormant Hypnozoites in hepatocytes, which cause relapses of malaria long after initial infection.

7. ERYTHROCYTIC STAGE Within the red cells the parasites grow in a membrane-bound digestive vacuole, hydrolyzing haemoglobin through secreted enzymes . A) Continuation of asexual reproduction B ) Production of gametocytes - Some parasites develop into sexual forms called Gametocytes → infect the mosquito.

8. HOW to PREVENT malaria? Avoid breeding of vector mosquito by preventing water logging especially during rainy season Use mosquito repellents , nets and wear full sleeved clothes to avoid mosquito bite Screening blood transfusions

9. Watch video lecture on youtube . Link given below https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=q83ilEYGmiw