Through the Microscope: Blood Cells - Life's Blood

Malaria

Malaria is a disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium. The four species most commonly found in man are vivax, malariae, falciparum, and ovale.

"Malaria is mainly transmitted from person to person through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Other means of transmission are through the use of contaminated needles, by congenital means, and through blood transfusions.

When the infected Anopheles mosquito bites a human, sporozoites are injected into the peripheral blood of the individual. The sporozoites then invade the liver. When the red blood cell has been penetrated by the merozoite, the parasite develops into the trophozoite ring form and thence to a mature schizont. The merozoites rupture from the mature schizonts and penetrate other red blood cells. Fever and chills are associated with the rupture of the red blood cells."

Brown, B. Hematology: Principles and Procedures, Fifth Edition.