Malaria

Abstract

Malaria is a protozoan infection of man caused by four species of Plasmodium: falciparum, vivax, ovale, and malariae. These species are transmitted by female anopheline mosquitoes. Despite the well-publicized efforts to eradicate malaria, it still remains endemic in the humid, warm areas of the world, including most countries of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.¹ All four species of Plasmodium commonly cause fever and chills, anemia, and splenomegaly. P. falciparum differs importantly from the others, however, in that it is capable of causing high-density parasitemia that can progress rapidly to massive hemolysis and fatal cerebral and renal complications.