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Malaria: Causative Organisms

Malaria is an acute and chronic parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. It is caused by four protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Symptoms include chills followed by fever occurring in regular intervals. Diagnosis is confirmed through blood smears detecting the parasites. Treatment involves anti-malarial drugs targeting the specific infecting parasite. Preventive measures include eliminating mosquito breeding sites and chemoprophylaxis for those in endemic areas.

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152 views5 pages

Malaria: Causative Organisms

Malaria is an acute and chronic parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. It is caused by four protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Symptoms include chills followed by fever occurring in regular intervals. Diagnosis is confirmed through blood smears detecting the parasites. Treatment involves anti-malarial drugs targeting the specific infecting parasite. Preventive measures include eliminating mosquito breeding sites and chemoprophylaxis for those in endemic areas.

Uploaded by

anreilegarde
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MALARIA

I. DEFINITION
Also called “ Ague”

An acute and chronic parasitic disease which infects red blood cells.

The “most deadly vector-borne disease in the world”

A specific infectious disease produced by any one of 4 protozoan parasites,


which is transmitted to man by bite of the mosquito, and the characteristic of
which are chills followed by fever occurring at more or less regular interval.

II. ETIOLOGY
Causative Organisms:
 Protozoa Plasmodia(plasmodium)
 Anopheles mosquito is definite host responsible for
transmission of malaria
 In the Philippines, the principal mosquito vector is Anopheles
Minimus Flavirostris

4 SPECIES OF PROTOZOA PLASMODIA

1. Plasmodium Vivax
The most widely distributed and most benign.
 Causes benign tertian malaria
 Characterized by fever and chills for 48hours in the 3rd day.

2. Plasmodium Falciparum
most frequently encountered in the Philippines.
it causes more serious type of malaria because of high parasitic densities in
the blood.
 infected red blood cells tend to agglutinate and form micro-emboli.
also known as “Pernicious Anemia”

3. Plasmodium Malariae
 much less frequent
 Causes quartian malaria with fever and chills every 72hours in the 4 th day.
4. Plasmodium Ovale
rarely seen but still reported in the Philippines.

III. MODE OF TRANSMISSION


 bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito
 Blood transfusion, contaminated syringe or needle
 Transplacental: “Congenital Malaria”
 Mingling of infected maternal blood with that of the infant during
birth process “ Neonatal Malaria”

IV. I.P. and Period of Communicability


P. P. VIVAX P. OVALE P.
FALCIPARUM MALARIAE
INCUBATION 10-12 days 14-17 days 11-26 days 12-14 days
PERIOD after up to up to several
mosquitoes several years
drilled the years
sporozoites
into the
patient.
PERIOD OF 7-12 days 3-5 days 3-5 days 7-14 days
COMMUNICABILITY max of 1 year max of 1-3 max of 20
years years

V. MANIFESTATIONS
 Chills followed by fever – pathognomonic sign
 Itchiness
 Profused sweating
 Tea-colored urine
 Jaundiced
 Fatigue
 Anemia
 Malaise
 Headache
 Hepatomegaly
 Spleenomegaly
 Anorexia
 Bleeding
VI. DIAGNOSIS
1. Thick Peripheral Blood Smear (Malarial Smear)
Blood is extracted after the chilling episode of the patient when the patient
has a fever
 Confirms presence, species and density of parasites
 Taken at height of the fever; if negative repeat 12 hrs after the attack
2. Clinical Diagnosis
Based on triad of symptoms, 50% accurate
3. Rapid Diagnostic Test
Uses immunochromatographic methods to detect Plasmodium specific
antigen
takes about 7-15 minutes
 Sensitivity and specificity greater than 90%
VII. TREATMENTS
 Determine the species of parasite infecting the patient
 Anti-malarial drugs
o 4 aminoquinolones
Barring resistant strains of P. Falciparum , the most potent drugs
acting on the sexual erythrocyte stages.
( Chloroquine, Amodiaquine, Quinine)
o Primaquine destroys gametocytes of P. Falciparum which are
unaffected by the common schizonticidal drugs
o Aminoquinolines
o Atabrine
o Fansitar
 Blood Transfusion
 Liver Protector (Essentiale Forte)
 Calamine Lotion/ Anti-Histamine
 Iron supplement
VIII. PREVENTIVE MEASURES and HEALTH EDUCATION
1. Eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes
2. Advise malaria chemoprophylaxis when traveling with endemic areas
3. Advise travelers to seek prompt healthcare if he develops fever after
stopping prophylaxis
4. Travelers to malaria’s areas should not donate blood for 3 years.
IX. NURSING INTERVENTIONS
1. Isolate the patient
2. Care of the exposed person
3. Supportive nursing care
a. Close monitor the patient
b. Monitor I & O
c. Determine ABG
d. Consider patient with severe falciparum malaria as medical
emergency
4. Provide warm bath
5. Provide a well-balanced diet

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