Malaria
| Definition: |
A protozoan disease caused in humans by four species of the genus PLASMODIUM (P. falciparum (MALARIA, FALCIPARUM); P. vivax (MALARIA, VIVAX); P. ovale, and P. malariae) and transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the genus Anopheles. Malaria is endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Oceania, and certain Caribbean islands. It is characterized by extreme exhaustion associated with paroxysms of high fever, sweating, shaking chills, and anemia. Malaria in animals is caused by other species of plasmodia. |
| Notes: |
GEN or unspecified; specify Plasmodium species IM if possible but note P. falciparum malaria = MALARIA, FALCIPARUM; P. vivax malaria = MALARIA, VIVAX; tertian malaria = MALARIA, VIVAX, quartan malaria: coord IM with PLASMODIUM MALARIAE (IM); malariotherap |
Malaria Categories.
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Malaria, Avian - Any of a group of infections of fowl caused by protozoa of the genera PLASMODIUM, Leucocytozoon, and Haemoproteus. The life cycles of these parasites and the disease produced bears strong resemblance to those observed in human malaria. |
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Malaria, Falciparum - Malaria caused by PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM. This is the severest form of malaria and is associated with the highest levels of parasites in the blood. This disease is characterized by irregularly recurring febrile paroxysms that in extreme cases occur with acute cerebral, renal, or gastrointestinal manifestations. |
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Malaria, Vivax - Malaria caused by PLASMODIUM VIVAX. This form of malaria is less severe than MALARIA, FALCIPARUM, but there is a higher probability for relapses to occur. Febrile paroxysms often occur every other day. |
Malaria Definitions and Terms
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