Malaria and Filariasis Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the definitions, species, clinical stages, treatments, and complications of Malaria and Filariasis.

Malaria

A protozoal infection of the genus $plasmodium$ caused by a female $Anopheles$ Mosquito characterized by fever, joint paints, and vomiting.

Plasmodium Falciparum

The malaria species that accounts for $95\%$ of all cases in Zambia.

Sporozoites

Primitive stages of malaria parasites contained in mosquito saliva that are injected into the human blood stream to invade liver cells.

Merozoites

Parasites released when an infected hepatocyte ruptures, which then proceed to invade red blood cells.

Cold Stage

A clinical stage of malarial paroxysmal where the patient feels extremely cold due to the rupture of $RBCs$, with fever reaching $38$ to $40$ degrees Celsius.

Hot Stage

A stage lasting $2-6$ hours characterized by temperatures above $41^\circ C$, full bound pulse, dry burning skin, and intense headache.

Sweating Stage

A stage lasting $2-4$ hours where the patient's temperature falls rapidly below normal and they experience profuse sweating.

Uncomplicated Malaria

Malaria infection that has no life-threatening manifestations.

Severe Malaria

Malaria with life-threatening manifestations such as prostration, impaired consciousness, or respiratory distress.

Prostration

A symptom of severe malaria defined as generalized weakness or the inability to sit, stand, or walk without support.

Artemether-Lumefantrin (Coartem)

The first-line management drug for uncomplicated malaria in Zambia.

Artesunate

The second-line treatment for complicated malaria, administered intravenously or intramuscularly for at least $24\,h$.

Quinine Loading Dose

A dose of $20\,mg/kg$ body weight administered in $500\,mls$ of $10\%$ or $5\%$ Dextrose over $4\,hours$.

Hypoglycemia (WHO criteria)

A complication of severe malaria where blood or plasma glucose is less than $2.2\,mmol/L$ ($40\,mg/dL$).

Severe Malarial Anemia

A condition where hemoglobin concentration is less than $5\,g/dL$ or haematocrit is less than $15\%$ in children under $12$ years.

Filariasis

A parasitic tropical disease caused by a filarial worm (nematode) and transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite.

Wucheria bancrofti

A species of filarial nematode causing lymphatic filariasis that is found throughout Africa, including Zambia.

Elephantiasis

A condition resulting from repeated lymphatic inflammation and blockage, leading to grossly enlarged body parts with thickened, coarse skin.

Nocturnal Periodicity

The characteristic of microfilaria circulating in the blood at night, requiring blood draws for diagnosis to be taken during the night.

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)

The drug of choice for filariasis that kills microfilaria and some adult worms, typically given as a $1$-day treatment of $6\,mg/kg/day$.