pal·u·dism (p l y -d z m)n. See malaria. |
malaria [mah-lar´e-ah]
a serious infectious, sometimes fatal disease caused by a protozoal infection, characterized by periodic chills and high fever. It is endemic to many warm regions of the world and is estimated to occur at the rate of 500 million cases each year worldwide. It is one of the world's major causes of death, causing about a million deaths a year, and the number is increasing. Drug resistance is a growing problem. Epidemics of malaria usually occur in areas where mosquitoes infected with the protozoal parasite are found in large numbers and there are persons not immune to malaria. Acute cases occur when nonimmune persons travel to regions where the disease is endemic. Called also paludism. adj., adj malar´ial.
A joint African-American-European project called the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria is attempting to increase coordination of research efforts. Some difficulties encountered in malaria control have been resistance of mosquitoes to insecticides, insufficient funding in some developing countries, development of strains of protozoa that are resistant to antimalarial drugs, and the fact that malaria in monkeys can be transmitted to humans. As a result, recent efforts have been toward malaria control rather than eradication.
A joint African-American-European project called the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria is attempting to increase coordination of research efforts. Some difficulties encountered in malaria control have been resistance of mosquitoes to insecticides, insufficient funding in some developing countries, development of strains of protozoa that are resistant to antimalarial drugs, and the fact that malaria in monkeys can be transmitted to humans. As a result, recent efforts have been toward malaria control rather than eradication.
Cause. Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, which is carried by mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. When the mosquito bites an infected person, it sucks in the parasites residing in the person's blood. In the mosquito the plasmodia multiply and travel to the salivary glands, from which they are transmitted to the bloodstream of the next person the mosquito bites. Inside the human host they first enter hepatic parenchymal cells and later are released to enter the bloodstream, where they penetrate the erythrocytes. There they mature, reproduce, and at complete maturity burst out of the blood cell. The life cycle varies according to the species of Plasmodium. For P. vivax it is 48 hours, for P. malariae 72 hours, and for P. falciparum 36 to 48 hours.
Symptoms. There are usually no symptoms until several cycles have been completed. Then there is a simultaneous rupturing of erythrocytes by the entire brood, causing the characteristic chills followed in a few hours by fever. The temperature may rise to 40° to 40.5°C (104° to 105°F). As it subsides, there is profuse perspiring. Other symptoms are headache, nausea, body pains and, after the attack, exhaustion. The symptoms last from 4 to 6 hours and recur at regular intervals, depending upon the parasitic species and its cycle. If the attack occurs every other day, the disease is called tertian malaria, and if it occurs at 3-day intervals it is called quartan malaria.
As the disease progresses, the attacks occur less frequently. Bouts of malaria may last from 1 to 4 weeks but usually about 2 weeks. Relapses are common, with attacks ceasing and recurring at irregular intervals for several years, especially if untreated. Malaria is not usually fatal; when it is, it is almost always caused by the falciparum species.
As the disease progresses, the attacks occur less frequently. Bouts of malaria may last from 1 to 4 weeks but usually about 2 weeks. Relapses are common, with attacks ceasing and recurring at irregular intervals for several years, especially if untreated. Malaria is not usually fatal; when it is, it is almost always caused by the falciparum species.
Treatment. For many years, quinine was the standard treatment for malaria, and it is still important in treatment of infection with drug-resistant strains of the protozoa. Other medications include malarone and mefloquine. Drug therapy will depend on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) availability of the medication.
Prevention. There is no effective inoculation against malaria, but antimalarial drugs may be given prophylactically to persons traveling to areas where the disease is widespread, or to pregnant women in areas in which the disease is endemic. Preventive measures are concentrated on destroying the mosquito by filling in swamps and other places containing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, and by use of insecticides and natural biologic predators of mosquitoes.
Malaria information is available from the Fax Information Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1-888-232-3299) or on the web site of the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov.
Malaria information is available from the Fax Information Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1-888-232-3299) or on the web site of the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov.
Life cycle of malarial parasite.
Patient discussion about paludism.
Q. Malaria threatening? My cousin suffering from malaria but is it not as serious as some have suggested. Though its beginning is very old past, is it still threatening for someone even after we have enough medicine? Is the available medicine is enough are still anyone is researching about it?
A. Hi Abrham, I have provided a video url for you. Hope this will help you a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AULg2ZM3Xic
Read more or ask a question about paludismhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AULg2ZM3Xic
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