PLASMODIUM

a genus of parasitic protozoans of the sporozoan subclass Coccidia that are the causative organisms of malaria (q.v.). Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells in mammals (including humans), birds, and reptiles, occurs worldwide, especially in tropical and temperate zones. The organism is transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. Other insects and some mites may also transmit forms of malaria to animals. Four species cause human malaria: P. vivax (producing the most widespread form), P. ovale (relatively uncommon), P. falciparum (producing the most severe symptoms), and P. malariae. Plasmodium species exhibit three life-cycle stagesgametocytes, sporozoites, and merozoites. Gametocytes within a mosquito develop into sporozoites. The sporozoites are transmitted via the saliva of a feeding mosquito to the human bloodstream. From there they enter liver parenchyma cells, where they divide and form merozoites. The merozoites are released into the bloodstream and infect red blood cells. Rapid division of the merozoites results in the destruction of the red blood cells, and the newly multiplied merozoites then infect new red blood cells. Some merozoites may develop into gametocytes, which can be ingested by a feeding mosquito, starting the life cycle over again. The red blood cells destroyed by the merozoites liberate toxins that cause the periodic chill and fever cycles that are the typical symptoms of malaria. P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. falciparum repeat this chill-fever cycle every 48 hours (tertian malaria), and P. malariae repeats it every 72 hours (quartan malaria).