Question

Malaria fever is caused

• A. Immediately after mosquito bite
• B. Upon disintegration and bursting of red blood cells
• C. When the malaria causing germs reach the liver
• D. Upon release of toxins into blood

Answer 1

The correct option is D Upon release of toxins into blood

All the clinical symptoms associated with malaria are caused by the asexual erythrocytic or blood stage parasites. When the parasite develops in the erythrocyte, waste substances such as hemozoin pigment and other toxic factors accumulate in the infected red blood cell. These are deposited into the bloodstream when the infected cells lyse and release invasive merozoites. The hemozoin and other toxic factors such as glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) stimulate macrophages and other cells to produce cytokines and other soluble factors which act to produce fever and rigors and influence other severe pathophysiology associated with malaria.