Malaria

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Author: Timothy Walls, M.D., M.S.
Reviewer: Margaret Reinhart, M.S., MLS(ASCP) and Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM

This course introduces the reader to the different organisms responsible for malarial disease. The life cycles of the malarial causing organisms and the vectors of transmission are discussed in detail as well as the clinical manifestations for each type of infection. The course presents the current and emerging diagnosis techniques along with current treatment options for malarial disease.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the different Plasmodium species and their geographic distribution
  • Compare and contrast the life cycles and modes of transmission of different Plasmodium species
  • Recognize the clinical manifestation of parasitic infection with Plasmodium
  • Explain the current and emerging techniques for diagnosis of infection with Plasmodium
  • Review the treatment for malarial disease

Course Outline

  • Introduction to Malaria
      • Overview of Blood and Tissue Parasites
      • Plasmodium History - Ancient Times
      • Plasmodium History - Modern Times
      • How are most blood parasites transmitted?
      • Fevers from malaria are cyclical and can occur in:
  • Identification of the Different Plasmodium Species and their Geographic Distribution
      • Malarial Parasites
      • Overview of Plasmodium species
      • Geographic Distribution of Dominant or Potentially Important Malaria Vectors
      • How many species of Plasmodium can cause infections in humans?
      • True or False: Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax are the only species with dormant liver stages.
  • Life Cycles, Modes of Transmission, and Clinical Manifestations of the Different Plasmodium Species
      • Plasmodium Life Cycle
    • Plasmodium falciparum
      • Plasmodium falciparum
      • Plasmodium falciparum - Life Cycle
      • Plasmodium falciparum - Life Cycle, continued
      • Plasmodium falciparum - Life Cycle, continued
      • Plasmodium falciparum ring forms
      • Plasmodium falciparum schizont and gametocyte forms
      • Which species of Plasmodium is the most common cause of death from malaria worldwide?
      • What shape uniquely identifies the P. falciparum gametocyte?
      • True or False: Once inside the red blood cell, the parasite digests hemozoin.
      • Red cell lysis stimulates the release of what factors?
      • Which genus of mosquito is known to transmit Plasmodium spp.?
      • In what part of the Anopheles mosquito's body do the sexual forms complete their life cycle?
    • Plasmodium malariae
      • Plasmodium malariae
      • Plasmodium malariae ring and band forms
      • Plasmodium malariae gametocyte and schizont
      • True or False: Plasmodium malariae infects young and immature red blood cells.
    • Plasmodium vivax
      • Plasmodium vivax
      • Plasmodium vivax ring and schizont forms
      • Plasmodium vivax gametocyte
      • Which blood group antigen serves as a receptor site for the attachment of Plasmodium vivax?
    • Plasmodium ovale
      • Plasmodium ovale
      • Plasmodium ovale ring and schizont forms
      • Plasmodium ovale gametocyte
      • True or False: Plasmodium ovale infections tend to be less severe than Plasmodium vivax.
    • Plasmodium knowlesi
      • Plasmodium knowlesi
      • Plasmodium knowlesi ring and schizont forms
      • Plasmodium knowlesi gametocyte
      • What is the erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium knowlesi?
  • Current and Emerging Techniques for Diagnosis of Infection with Plasmodium
      • Diagnosis of Malaria
      • Diagnosis of Malaria - Thick Smears
      • Diagnosis of Malaria - Thin Smears
      • The pathologist on call is on their way, and you receive a thin smear to evaluate the percentage of infected RBCs. Calculate the percent infected RBCs...
      • Diagnosis of Malaria - Rapid Diagnostic Tests
      • Diagnosis of Malaria - Molecular Testing
      • True or False: The standard diagnostic method for malaria is culture.
      • Malarial parasites are best seen under what magnification?
      • True or False: Parasite density usually correlates with the severity of illness.
      • True or False: Gametocytes are counted in the calculation for the percent infected RBCs.
      • True or False: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) provide a qualitative result but cannot provide quantitative information regarding parasite density.
      • Molecular tests for malaria are primarily used for:
      • You receive a thick smear in the lab to interpret from a very sick patient with recent travel to Africa. Calculate the number of parasites per μL...
  • Treatment for Malarial Disease
      • Treatment of Malaria
      • Treatment of Malaria, continued
      • Eradication of Malaria
      • True or False: The drug used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is doxycycline.
  • Conclusion
      • Summary
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Basic to intermediate 
Intended audience:  Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.  
Course Description: This course introduces the reader to the different organisms responsible for malarial disease. The life cycles of the malaria-causing organisms and the transmission vectors are discussed in detail, as are the clinical manifestations for each type of infection. The course also presents the current and emerging diagnosis techniques and treatment options for malarial disease.
Author information: Timothy Walls, M.D., M.S., is an AP/CP boarded pathologist. He has completed fellowships in medical microbiology as well as molecular genetic pathology. Currently, he is the Director of Clinical Laboratories at Sentara Reference Laboratories. Timothy has earned his B.S. in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Tennessee, his M.S. in Forensic Science at Drexel University, and his M.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer information:
Margaret Reinhart MS, MLS(ASCP) is the former MLS Program Director and Senior lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA (now St. Joseph's University), where she taught hematology and clinical immunology, parasitology, and other related courses. She is also an adjunct instructor in Hematology at Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. She holds a Master's Degree in Biology and Health Care Administration.
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab by Vastian. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.  

This course is part of:
Compliance & CE
Rings of P. falciparum
Rings of P. falciparum thin smear
P. malarie ring thin smear
P. malariae trophozoite, band form
Binax RDT