Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute have genetically modified a bacterium commonly found in the mosquito’s midgut and found that the parasite that causes malaria in people does not survive in mosquitoes carrying the modified bacterium. The bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans, was modified to secrete proteins toxic to the malaria parasite, but the toxins do not harm the mosquito … [Read more...]
Death from Malaria: Humans and Other Primates
QUESTION If not treated in some form, do most who acquire malaria die? What about primates, such as orangutans that live in the wild and would not be treated as such. Do they die or do they become chronically ill within period of remission? ANSWER That's a really good question, and the answer is: it depends! In humans, the most deadly form of malaria is Plasmodium falciparum—when … [Read more...]
Malaria Fever and Recovery
QUESTION My 21 year old daughter spent 4 months on a study abroad program in Dakar. A week before returning home she started having night fevers and would complain of retrosternal pain and rib and neck and shoulder pain. The next day she would be fine. The episodes came every other day and eventually it occurred to her that it might be malaria. It was evening so she went to a pharmacy for a … [Read more...]
Malaria Treatment with Fansidar
QUESTION My husband has Malaria following a trip to Kenya and has had a fever for three days. We are in Russia and the only drug available at the pharmacy was Fansidar (we also have some Doxcycyclin). He took three Fansidar tablets last night and feels better but the fever has still not completely gone. What should we do? Take more Fansidar? Thanks for your help. ANSWER A single dose of … [Read more...]
Is Urticaria a Symptom of Malaria?
QUESTION Is urticaria a symptom of malaria? ANSWER Yes, urticaria, also known as hives, is associated with malaria infection. It is more commonly known from infection with Plasmodium falciparum but has also been reported as accompanying P. vivax infection. … [Read more...]
Malaria Parasite
QUESTION Which parasite transmits malaria? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bite of an infected mosquito. The parasite passes into the blood of the human patient when the mosquito bites, via its saliva. There are five species of Plasmodium which normally infect humans: P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. knowlesi. … [Read more...]
Malaria with Liver and Kidney Problems
QUESTION Can someone please tell me what kind of malaria this is. What part of the body it attacks, e.g., cerebral? Patient presenting with liver and kidney "problems". What could these be? ANSWER I am not sure I fully understand your question, but the type of malaria which is associated with cerebral malaria, and also tends to have the most adverse effects on other organs (such as the … [Read more...]
Malaria Hosts
QUESTION Which are malaria hosts and how does malaria have an effect on one of them? ANSWER The parasite which causes malaria (called Plasmodium) requires two different hosts—a vertebrate intermediate host, such as a human, and an insect definitive host, also known as the vector. For the types of malaria which infect humans and other mammals, the vector is always a mosquito of the … [Read more...]
Classification of Malaria
QUESTION Classification of malaria ANSWER Malaria is caused by a single celled protist of the genus Plasmodium. This genus is part of a Phylum of single-celled protist organisms called Apicomplexa. The Apicomplexans mostly posses an organ called an apicoplast, which is part of an apical structure designed to aid entry into a host cell. The Apicomplexa is split into two Classes, of … [Read more...]
Duration of Malaria Fever for Child
QUESTION Can fever duration in malaria is 5-6 Hours for back? And if I m giving 5 ML of Lariago to my 5 Yr Child how many days it will take to reduce the fever or increase the gap of fever coming back in 5-6 hours. ANSWER Please give more information regarding the first part of your question - I am not sure what you are asking regarding malaria fever duration? Regarding Lariago, its … [Read more...]