Question

Cerebral malaria is caused by

• A. Plasmodium vivax
• B. Plasmodium ovale
• C. Plasmodium malariae
• D. Plasmodium falciparum

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Plasmodium falciparum

The correct option is D

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Cerebral malaria is caused by the protozoa Plasmodium falciparum.
2. It occurs between two weeks after a mosquito bite.
3. It causes fever (for 2 to 7 days).
4. It is the most severe neurological complication of infection with these protozoa.
5. In this infection, asexual forms of the parasites are found in peripheral blood smears and are characterized by coma.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option A:

Plasmodium vivax causes recurring (benign tertian) malaria.

Option B:

Plasmodium ovale causes tertian malaria in human.

Option C:

Plasmodium malariae causes benign malaria but is not as dangerous as P. vivax and P. falciparum.

Final answer: So, cerebral malaria is caused by the human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum.