Plasmodium ovale: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:50, 22 February 2025

Plasmodium ovale[edit]

Plasmodium ovale is a protozoan parasite and one of the species of Plasmodium that cause malaria in humans. It is one of the five species of Plasmodium that commonly infect humans, the others being Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, and Plasmodium knowlesi.

Morphology[edit]

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Microphotograph of Plasmodium ovale microgametocyte in Giemsa-stained thin blood film, showing Schüffner's dots and hemozoin pigment

Plasmodium ovale is characterized by its oval-shaped infected red blood cells, which are slightly larger than uninfected cells and have a fimbriated edge. The presence of Schüffner's dots and hemozoin pigment is also a distinguishing feature. The parasite undergoes a complex life cycle involving both asexual and sexual stages.

Life Cycle[edit]

The life cycle of Plasmodium ovale involves two hosts: the human host and the Anopheles mosquito. In humans, the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction in the liver and red blood cells. The sexual stage occurs in the mosquito, where the parasite undergoes fertilization and development into sporozoites, which are then transmitted back to humans through a mosquito bite.

Epidemiology[edit]

File:Relative incidence of Plasmodium (malaria) species by country of origin for imported cases to non-endemic countries.png

Relative incidence of Plasmodium species by country of origin for imported cases to non-endemic countries

Plasmodium ovale is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can also be found in parts of Asia and the Western Pacific. It is less common than Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The incidence of Plasmodium ovale is often underestimated due to its similarity to Plasmodium vivax and the lack of specific diagnostic tools.

Clinical Features[edit]

Infection with Plasmodium ovale causes a form of malaria that is generally less severe than that caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The disease can cause relapses due to dormant liver stages known as hypnozoites.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit]

File:Microphotographs of Plasmodium ovale in Giemsa-stained thin blood films.jpg

Microphotographs of Plasmodium ovale in Giemsa-stained thin blood films

Diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale infection is typically made by microscopic examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa. Molecular methods such as PCR can also be used for more accurate diagnosis. Treatment involves the use of antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and primaquine, the latter being used to eliminate hypnozoites and prevent relapses.

Related Pages[edit]

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-[[file:Plasmodium_ovale_01.png|thumb|Plasmodium ovale 01]] [[file:Relative_incidence_of_Plasmodium_(malaria)_species_by_country_of_origin_for_imported_cases_to_non-endemic_countries.png|thumb|Relative incidence of Plasmodium (malaria) species by country of origin for imported cases to non-endemic countries|left]] [[file:Microphotograph_of_Plasmodium_ovale_microgametocyte_in_Giemsa-stained_thin_blood_film,_with_Schüffner's_dots_and_hemozoin_pigment.png|thumb|Microphotograph of Plasmodium ovale microgametocyte in Giemsa-stained thin blood film, with Schüffner's dots and hemozoin pigment]] [[file:Microphotographs_of_Plasmodium_ovale_in_Giemsa-stained_thin_blood_films.jpg|thumb|Microphotographs of Plasmodium ovale in Giemsa-stained thin blood films|left]] [[file:IEcycle.PNG|thumb|IEcycle]] '''Plasmodium ovale''' is a protozoan parasite and one of the species of [[Plasmodium]] that cause [[malaria]] in humans. It is one of the five species of Plasmodium that commonly infect humans, the others being [[Plasmodium falciparum]], [[Plasmodium vivax]], [[Plasmodium malariae]], and [[Plasmodium knowlesi]]. Plasmodium ovale is less common compared to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
+==Plasmodium ovale==
-== Life Cycle ==
+[[File:Plasmodium_ovale_01.png|thumb|right|Plasmodium ovale in a blood smear]]
-The life cycle of Plasmodium ovale involves two hosts: the [[Anopheles]] mosquito and humans. The cycle begins when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites a human, injecting sporozoites into the bloodstream. These sporozoites travel to the liver, where they infect liver cells and mature into schizonts. The schizonts then rupture, releasing merozoites into the bloodstream, which infect red blood cells. Inside the red blood cells, the parasites undergo asexual reproduction, leading to the formation of more merozoites. Some of these merozoites develop into gametocytes, which can be taken up by another mosquito during a blood meal, continuing the cycle.
-== Clinical Features ==
+'''Plasmodium ovale''' is a protozoan parasite and one of the species of [[Plasmodium]] that cause [[malaria]] in humans. It is one of the five species of Plasmodium that commonly infect humans, the others being [[Plasmodium falciparum]], [[Plasmodium vivax]], [[Plasmodium malariae]], and [[Plasmodium knowlesi]].
-Plasmodium ovale causes a form of malaria known as ovale malaria. The symptoms of ovale malaria are similar to those caused by other Plasmodium species and include fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain. The fever in ovale malaria typically follows a tertian pattern, occurring every 48 hours. Unlike Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale infections are generally less severe and less likely to be fatal.
-== Diagnosis ==
+==Morphology==
-Diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale infection is typically made through microscopic examination of blood smears, where the characteristic oval-shaped infected red blood cells can be observed. Molecular methods such as [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR) can also be used for more accurate identification.
-== Treatment ==
+[[File:Microphotograph_of_Plasmodium_ovale_microgametocyte_in_Giemsa-stained_thin_blood_film,_with_Schüffner's_dots_and_hemozoin_pigment.png|thumb|left|Microphotograph of Plasmodium ovale microgametocyte in Giemsa-stained thin blood film, showing Schüffner's dots and hemozoin pigment]]
-The treatment for Plasmodium ovale malaria includes antimalarial drugs such as [[chloroquine]] and [[primaquine]]. Chloroquine is used to treat the blood stage of the infection, while primaquine is used to target the liver stage and prevent relapse.
-== Epidemiology ==
+Plasmodium ovale is characterized by its oval-shaped infected red blood cells, which are slightly larger than uninfected cells and have a fimbriated edge. The presence of Schüffner's dots and hemozoin pigment is also a distinguishing feature. The parasite undergoes a complex life cycle involving both asexual and sexual stages.
-Plasmodium ovale is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can also be found in some parts of Asia and the Western Pacific. It is less prevalent than Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
-== Related Pages ==
+==Life Cycle==
+The life cycle of Plasmodium ovale involves two hosts: the human host and the [[Anopheles]] mosquito. In humans, the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction in the liver and red blood cells. The sexual stage occurs in the mosquito, where the parasite undergoes fertilization and development into sporozoites, which are then transmitted back to humans through a mosquito bite.
+==Epidemiology==
+[[File:Relative_incidence_of_Plasmodium_(malaria)_species_by_country_of_origin_for_imported_cases_to_non-endemic_countries.png|thumb|left|Relative incidence of Plasmodium species by country of origin for imported cases to non-endemic countries]]
+Plasmodium ovale is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, but it can also be found in parts of Asia and the Western Pacific. It is less common than Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The incidence of Plasmodium ovale is often underestimated due to its similarity to Plasmodium vivax and the lack of specific diagnostic tools.
+==Clinical Features==
+Infection with Plasmodium ovale causes a form of malaria that is generally less severe than that caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The disease can cause relapses due to dormant liver stages known as hypnozoites.
+==Diagnosis and Treatment==
+[[File:Microphotographs_of_Plasmodium_ovale_in_Giemsa-stained_thin_blood_films.jpg|thumb|right|Microphotographs of Plasmodium ovale in Giemsa-stained thin blood films]]
+Diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale infection is typically made by microscopic examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa. Molecular methods such as PCR can also be used for more accurate diagnosis. Treatment involves the use of antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and primaquine, the latter being used to eliminate hypnozoites and prevent relapses.
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Malaria]]
 * [[Plasmodium falciparum]]
 * [[Plasmodium vivax]]
-* [[Plasmodium malariae]]
-* [[Plasmodium knowlesi]]
 * [[Anopheles]]
-== See Also ==
-* [[Protozoa]]
-* [[Vector (epidemiology)]]
-* [[Infectious disease]]
-{{Taxobox
-| name = Plasmodium ovale
-| image =
-| image_caption =
-| domain = [[Eukaryota]]
-| unranked_regnum = [[SAR (Stramenopiles, Alveolates, Rhizaria)|SAR]]
-| unranked_superphylum = [[Alveolata]]
-| phylum = [[Apicomplexa]]
-| classis = [[Aconoidasida]]
-| ordo = [[Haemosporida]]
-| familia = [[Plasmodiidae]]
-| genus = [[Plasmodium]]
-| species = '''P. ovale'''
-| binomial = Plasmodium ovale
-}}
 [[Category:Plasmodium]]
-[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
+[[Category:Parasites]]
-[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
-[[Category:Protozoal diseases]]
 [[Category:Malaria]]
-{{medicine-stub}}