Malaria:

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Malaria

• A brief introduction provided by Dr Lynn Fischer,
  a family doctor in Ottawa.

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Malaria a brief introduction

• 300-500 million cases annually, worldwide
• 3-3.5 million deaths annually, mostly children
  under 5 years old
• Primarily in rural and sub-Saharan Africa

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Malaria a brief introduction

• Fewer than 100 cases per year in Canada mostly
  with people bringing the disease into Canada.
• Ceased to be endemic in North America in the
  1950s though the mosquito type which carries the
  disease organism is still present.

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Malaria a brief introduction

• Some terms you need to know!
• Vector the organism that carries the disease to
  infect another species. In this case it is the
  mosquito.
• Host the organism that carries the disease for a
  part of its life cycle. Here it is the human.

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Malaria a brief introduction

• Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an
  infected female Anopheles mosquito
• Caused by a parasitic one celled organism, a
  protozoan called Plasmodium 4 types
• Vivax
• Malariae
• Ovale
• Falciparum
• 95 of infections caused by the last two combined.

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Malaria a brief introduction

• The vector (mosquito) passes Plasmodia from its
  saliva to its host (human) while obtaining a
  blood meal.
• Part of the parasites life-cycle is spent in the
  human liver and then infected liver cells are
  released into the circulation
• The parasite feeds on the hemoglobin and other
  proteins in the circulating rbcs

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Malaria a brief introduction
8
Malaria a brief introduction

• The protozoa multiply in the red blood cells
  causing the cell to explode (known as cytolysis)
• Toxic products are released into the bloodstream
  causing flu-like symptoms such as chills,
  headache, fever, malaise, and muscle aches in a
  cyclic pattern
• Infection may cause anemia or jaundice
• Falciparum infection can lead to kidney failure,
  coma and death

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Malaria a brief introductionHere are some red
blood cells. Look for the plasmodia spores on the
surface of the healthy cells. Two cells are
infected, one is ruptured.
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Malaria a brief introduction

• We can prevent the spread of malaria through
  controlled spraying, the use of permethrin soaked
  bed nets and possibly in the future, by a vaccine
• Treatment is possible with drugs such as
  chloroquine and quinine

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Malaria a brief introduction

• In conclusion, we can say that
• Deaths are unnecessary because malaria is
  preventable and treatable.
• The lack of prevention and treatment is mainly
  due to poverty, war, economic and social
  instability and
• You can make a difference in many lives!