Malaria

Causative Agents

Malaria is a mosquito–borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu–like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. Of the ten species of Anopheles mosquitoes found in the United States, the two species that were responsible for malaria transmission prior to eradication (Anopheles quadrimaculatus in the east and An. freeborni in the west) are still widely prevalent; thus there is a constant risk that malaria could be reintroduced in the United States.[1]

Statistics

1,337 cases of malaria, including 8 deaths, were reported for 2002 in the United States, even though malaria has been eradicated in this country since the early 1950's. Of the 1,337 malaria cases reported for 2002 in the United States, all but five were imported, i.e., acquired in malaria–endemic countries.

Forty–one percent of the world's population live in areas where malaria is transmitted (e.g., parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, Hispaniola, and Oceania). Each year 350 – 500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide, and over one million people die, most of them young children in sub–Saharan Africa. In areas of Africa with high malaria transmission, an estimated 990,000 people died of malaria in 1995 – over 2700 deaths per day, or 2 deaths per minute. In 2002, malaria was the fourth cause of death in children in developing countries, after perinatal conditions (conditions occurring around the time of birth), lower respiratory infections (pneumonias), and diarrheal diseases. Malaria caused 10.7% of all children's deaths in developing countries. [1]

Modes ofTransmission

Malaria–carrying mosquito (Anopheles) bite and blood transfusions. Pregnant women have increased susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria; in malaria–endemic countries, P. falciparum contributes to 8–14% of low birth weight, which in turn decreases the chance of a baby’s survival. [1]

Methods of Diagnosis

Blood smear from a P. falciparum culture (K1 strain). Although blood is the sample most frequently used to make a diagnosis, both saliva and urine have been investigated as alternative, less invasive specimens.[2] Other methods include microscopic examination of blood films and antigen detection tests that require only a drop of blood like Immunochromatographic tests also called: Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests. [3] Parasite nucleic acids are detected using polymerase chain reaction. This technique is more accurate than microscopy. [4]

Annotated Bibliography

1. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Malaria, Malaria Facts. http://www.cdc.gov/Malaria/facts.htm

2. Sutherland, CJ; Hallett, R (2009). "Detecting malaria parasites outside the blood". J Infect Dis 199 (11): 1561–1563.

3. Pattanasin S, Proux S, Chompasuk D, Luwiradaj K, Jacquier P, Looareesuwan S, Nosten F (2003). "Evaluation of a new Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase assay (OptiMAL–IT) for the detection of malaria". Transact Royal Soc Trop Med 97 (6): 672–4.

4. Redd S, Kazembe P, Luby S, Nwanyanwu O, Hightower A, Ziba C, Wirima J, Chitsulo L, Franco C, Olivar M (2006). "Clinical algorithm for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children". Lancet 347 (8996)

 

 

Items of Interest

International Products

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