Question: What can a pregnant women affected with malaria trophozoite of p. Falciparum (++) do? Can she take chloroquine inside drip? Answer: It depends on whether the P. falciparum in that area is chloroquine-sensitive. If yes, then chloroquine is an appropriate treatment (although it is usually given orally). However, if the P. falciparum is known to be resistant to chloroquine (as it is in … [Read more...]
Lasting Effects of Malaria
QUESTION What are the lasting effects of malaria? ANSWER Most people who get malaria and receive the correct treatment in time, usually have no long term affects of malaria infection. However some people who have suffered severe cerebral malaria (from P. falciparum) may experience some longer term neurological effects. There have been reports that up to 25% of young children with … [Read more...]
G6PD Deficiency Prevalence and Estimates of Affected Populations in Malaria Endemic Countries
Primaquine is a key drug for malaria elimination. In addition to being the only drug active against the dormant relapsing forms of Plasmodium vivax, primaquine is the sole effective treatment of infectious P. falciparum gametocytes, and may interrupt transmission and help contain the spread of artemisinin resistance. However, primaquine can trigger haemolysis in patients with a deficiency in … [Read more...]
Causes of Malaria
QUESTION What are the causes of malaria? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite of the genus Plasmodium. Five species infect humans: P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. malariae and P. knowlesi. Learn more about the causes of malaria." … [Read more...]
Bioengineered Antibiotic Could Lead to Improved Malaria Therapy
A natural antibiotic long known for its power to fight bacteria, viruses and tumors has recently shown strength against malaria, but its extreme toxicity has impeded its use in medicine. However, a bioengineering breakthrough has opened a new avenue in the global battle against malaria. Scientists at Oregon State University have engineered several new versions of the antibiotic pactamycin … [Read more...]
Malaria Prevention
Malaria prevention consists of a combination of mosquito avoidance measures and chemoprophylaxis. Although very efficacious, none of the recommended interventions are 100% effective. Mosquito Avoidance Measures Because of the nocturnal feeding habits of Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn. Contact with mosquitoes can be reduced by … [Read more...]