Question

Arrange the events of Plasmodium falciparum infection process in the human body.

• A. Parasite entry
• B. Form sporozoites
• C. Entry into liver
• D. Entry into RBC

Answer 1

Plasmodium falciparum is a tiny protozoan that causes malaria. It enters the human body (host) through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The infective stage (sporozoite) from the female Anopheles mosquito is released into the bloodstream of the host from where they enter the liver cell and multiply rapidly, finally rupturing the cells. Then they attack RBCs, where they multiply further, resulting in the rupture of the RBCs. Rupture of the RBCs releases hemozoin, a toxin that causes the characteristic chill in patients suffering from malaria.