Malaria and Toxoplasma Gondii

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Malaria and Toxoplasma Gondii, focusing on their transmission, life cycles, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.

Malaria

A mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, leading to significant health issues and death worldwide.

Anopheles mosquito

The vector responsible for transmitting malaria.

α-Thalassemia

A genetic blood disorder that provides a protective advantage against Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Sickle-Cell disease

A genetic condition that offers some resistance to malaria, particularly from P. falciparum.

Duffy-negative blood type

A blood type that confers resistance to P. vivax malaria.

Hypnozoites

Dormant liver stages of P. vivax and P. ovale that can cause recurrences after treatment.

Merozoites

Infectious forms of the malaria parasite released into the bloodstream that invade red blood cells.

Trophozoite

The active feeding stage of the malaria parasite when it is in red blood cells.

P. Falciparum

The most dangerous and pathogenic species of malaria, primarily found in Africa.

Chemoprophylaxis

Preventive treatment using drugs to reduce the risk of malaria infection.

Giemsa-stained blood smears

A method for identifying malaria parasites in blood, considered the gold standard for diagnosis.

Toxoplasma Gondii

A protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, commonly found in cats.

Bradyzoites

Non-motile, dormant cyst form of Toxoplasma Gondii found in tissues.

IgG antibodies

Antibodies detected through serological testing to identify past infections.

Ring-enhancing lesions

MRI findings associated with Toxoplasma Gondii infections in immunocompromised patients.

Pyrimethamine and Folinic acid

Medications used to treat toxoplasmosis, particularly targeting the tachyzoite stage.

Sulfadiazine

An antibiotic used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis, often in conjunction with other medications.