Malaria Flow Chart by Mia Solomon

Pre-Mosquito

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:18:40 UTC

Before the parasite becomes a factor in the ecosystem, many steps relate to the climate's hospitality to the disease.

Poverty

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:19:04 UTC

Systemicly impoverished areas are more likely to contain the parasite due to a push to be outside and a lack of government-controlled sanitation. Malaria itself slows economic growth and development, perpetuating a vicious poverty cycle.

Africa

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:19:15 UTC

Africa is accountable for 94% of the world's Malaria cases due to the arid climate and the enormous amount of poverty. The primary focus when addressing the disease is Africa, which reported 249 million cases in 2022.

Prevention

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:19:31 UTC

While Malaria is a deadly disease that doesn't have a specific cure, there are ways to prevent it. An extensive prevention strategy is addressing the disease before it starts. Helping with chronic poverty, clean water, and electricity stops the parasite before it starts.

Plasmodium Sporozoites

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:20:24 UTC

The first stage of the disease is the mosquito. The sporozoites first form inside the oocysts on the midgut wall. Once ready, they are released into the hemocoel and travel to the mosquito salivary glands.

1st Vector

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:20:37 UTC

The first mosquito infected with the parasite

Bite

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:20:48 UTC

When a mosquito infected with the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) bites you, it injects saliva into your bloodstream along with the parasite. The saliva contains anticoagulants that prevent blood clotting, allowing the mosquito to feed more effectively. At the same time, the Plasmodium parasites enter your bloodstream and travel to the liver, where they undergo further development.

Liver Infection

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:21:34 UTC

Malaria parasites multiply and mature in the liver, releasing new forms called merozoites. These merozoites infect red blood cells, causing symptoms. The infected red blood cells are destroyed, releasing more merozoites into the bloodstream, continuing the cycle.

Blood Infection

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:21:45 UTC

In malaria's blood stage, merozoites from a mosquito bite invade and multiply in red blood cells, causing symptoms. The immune system responds, and some merozoites become gametocytes, aiding transmission.

Transmission to new Mosquito

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:22:13 UTC

During mosquito feeding, gametocyte-infected blood is ingested. In the mosquito, gametocytes mature, fertilize, and transform into an ookinete, then an oocyst. Sporozoites released from the oocyst migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands, ready for transmission during the next blood meal.

2nd Vector

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:22:23 UTC

Sporozoites, released by the oocyst in the mosquito's midgut, migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands. During the mosquito's subsequent blood meal on another human, these sporozoites are injected into the bloodstream with the mosquito's saliva, initiating a new infection cycle.

Cycle restarts

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:22:41 UTC

This cycle perpetuates the spread of malaria. Effective control measures involve interrupting this cycle by preventing mosquito bites (e.g., bed nets, insecticides), treating infected individuals to clear the parasites, and implementing strategies to reduce mosquito populations. Understanding and targeting each cycle stage is crucial for malaria control and elimination efforts.

Is climate susceptible?

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:24:57 UTC

Yes

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:25:15 UTC

Mosquito thrives in tropical and subtropical environment. Anopheles mosquitoes thrive in regions with warm temperatures, humid conditions, and high rainfall. Warm temperatures are also required for malaria parasites to complete their growth cycle within the mosquitoes.

No

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:25:23 UTC

Parasite is not likely to incubate within mosquito and infect anyone

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-13 13:59:10 UTC

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-14 02:18:46 UTC

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-14 02:21:22 UTC

Sickle cell anemia naturally protects against malaria by hindering the parasite's ability to thrive in the altered red blood cells. While this can lead to milder malaria symptoms, it's essential to acknowledge that sickle cell anemia brings health challenges, including pain, anemia, and organ damage, and its impact on malaria susceptibility varies.

Primaquine

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-14 02:30:57 UTC

Primaquine treats and prevents malaria from Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale by acting on the liver's hypnozoite stage, preventing relapses.

Tafenoquine

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-14 02:33:25 UTC

Tafenoquine acts very similarly to Primaquine. Known for its long duration, it requires a single dose for a radical cure, improving patient adherence.

START HERE

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-14 02:47:31 UTC

miasolomon3 — 2023-12-14 03:14:38 UTC