MALARIA TRANSMISSION CYCLE

MALARIA TRANSMISSION CYCLE 

The malaria transmission cycle involves the Plasmodium parasite, Anopheles mosquitoes, and human hosts.

* HUMAN TO MOSQUITO (SPOROGONY)

- An infected person has malaria parasites in their bloodstream.

- An Anopheles mosquito bites the infected person and ingests parasites.

- Parasites multiply in the mosquito's midgut.

* MOSQUITO TO HUMAN (SPOROZOITE TRANSMISSION)

- The infected mosquito bites a healthy person.

- Parasites (sporozoites) enter the person's bloodstream through saliva.

- Sporozoites travel to the liver.

*LIVER STAGE (EXO-ERYTHROCYTIC CYCLE)

- Sporozoites multiply in liver cells.

- Parasites develop into merozoites.

*BLOOD STAGE (ERYTHROCYTIC CYCLE)

- Merozoites enter red blood cells.

- Parasites multiply, causing cells to rupture.

- New merozoites infect other red blood cells.

* MOSQUITO INFECTION (GAMETOGONY)

- Infected person has gametocytes (male and female parasites).

- An Anopheles mosquito bites the infected person.

- Gametocytes are ingested and mate in the mosquito's midgut.