BRAINCAKEPathogenic Effects of Malaria
The symptoms of malaria are caused mainly by the blood stage, when merozoites multiply in red blood cells.
Fever cycles. Infected red blood cells tend to burst at the same time. Each burst releases merozoites, parasite waste and toxins into the blood, which stimulate white blood cells to release cytokines. These cause attacks of shivering and chills, then high fever (up to about 40 °C) and heavy sweating. With P. vivax and P. ovale attacks recur about every 48 hours, and every 72 hours with P. malariae.
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Key terms in this lesson
- merozoite
- A stage of the malaria parasite produced by asexual division in liver cells or red blood cells, which goes on to invade further red blood cells.
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- Endemic Diseases
- Treatment, Prevention and Control of Malaria
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All 17 lessons in Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics