Question

Cerebral malignant malaria is caused by
A. Plasmodium ovale
B. Plasmodium vivax
C. Plasmodium falciparum
D. Plasmodium malariae

Answer 1

Hint: Malaria is caused by a tiny protozoan Plasmodium. Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites which are infectious from the bite of infected female anopheles. Malarial parasite requires two hosts to complete its life cycle:
> Human
> Mosquito (female anopheles): Vector or transmitting agent.

Complete answer:
Cerebral malignant malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
 There are several species of plasmodium which attacks humans:
> Plasmodium ovale: This species is found in West Africa and South America. It causes mild tertian malaria and its incubation period is 14 days. The schizonts and gametocytes enlarge the infected erythrocytes.
> Plasmodium vivax: It causes benign tertian malaria. In this, the fever comes after every 48 hours due to formation of new merozoites. Its incubation period is 14 days and it is most widespread in tropical and temperate regions. Schizonts and gametocytes make erythrocytes very large.
> Plasmodium malariae: This species causes quartan malaria. Its incubation period is 27 to 30 days. The fever comes after every 72 hours and relapses occur. Erythrocytes are not enlarged.
> Plasmodium falciparum: It is the deadliest species among all plasmodium species. It is found in the tropics and it causes deadly cerebral malignant malaria or sub-tertian malaria fever. Incubation period is 12 days. In this RBCs clumps together into masses causing blockage of blood capillaries of the brain.

So the correct answer is option C.

Note: Plasmodium falciparum also causes black water fever (pernicious malaria) in which mass destruction of RBCs occurs. Quinine is the oldest drug for malaria. It is extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree which is found in India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and java.