Malaria - PLASMODIUM INTRODUCTION
Malaria is a potentially-deadly disease caused by some very complex species of single-celled parasites from the genus Plasmodium. These shape-shifting eukaryotic organisms are extremely complex. They have far more genes than do viruses or bacteria. They contain intracellular organelles, have nuclei and at various times in their lifecycle reproduce sexually or asexually. Throughout their lifecycles, Plasmodia live in a variety of locations including the mosquito midgut, mosquito salivary glands and in human liver cells (hepatocytes) and red blood cells (RBCs). Along the way, they traverse skin and blood vessels in a continuous effort to maintain their lifecycle.
According to the World Health Organization, ~3.2 billion people (50% of the world's population) are at risk for malaria and in 2021, there were ~247 million cases and ~619,000 deaths. While improved and increasing prevention and control measures have reduced malaria mortality dramatically, even better interventions (particularly a highly effective vaccine) are needed to achieve the ultimate goal of malaria elimination worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, ~3.2 billion people (50% of the world's population) are at risk for malaria and in 2021, there were ~247 million cases and ~619,000 deaths. While improved and increasing prevention and control measures have reduced malaria mortality dramatically, even better interventions (particularly a highly effective vaccine) are needed to achieve the ultimate goal of malaria elimination worldwide.
This malaria life cycle graphic may be freely used and copied for educational and other noncommercial purposes, provided that any reproduction is accompanied by the following acknowledgment line: "Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024."
Here's Sean dressed as the entire Plasmodium lifecycle for Halloween (a long time ago it seems!)
Here's Sean dressed as the entire Plasmodium lifecycle for Halloween (a long time ago it seems!)
