How Parasites Affect the Spread of Malaria - Research Paper Example

? 88029- Research Paper Module Table of Contents 3 HOW PARASITES AFFECT THE SPREAD OF MALARIA 4 THE RECENT DISCOVERY 5 EPIDEMIOLOGY 5 WORLD’S ACTION TO STOP SPREAD 6 Insecticides 7 Vaccines 7 Genome sequencing 7 ORGANZIZATIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN MALARIA 8 CDC 8 UNICEF 8 WHO 8 CONCLUSION 9 REFERENCES 10 Abstract This paper deals with the cause and spread of malaria, its association with the parasites and protozoa. The paper also includes the epidemiology, the latest facts and researches about the endemic. Also described are the various strategies adapted by the world for its eradication and the global organization and CDC working for the healthy and malaria free world. Keywords: Parasites, endemic, cdc HOW PARASITES AFFECT THE SPREAD OF MALARIA Malaria is a disease caused by the one of the four protozoan species of the genus Plasmodium. The four species are Plasmodium falciparum, P.ovale, P. malariae and P. vivax. It is a fatal disease that is caused by the parasite which infects the mosquito first. The mosquito then bites the human and transmits the parasites in the human blood which account for the onset of the symptoms (Cdc.gov, 2010). The lifecycle of this protozoan parasite is divided into two stages, one in mosquito and one in human. The cycle starts when the mosquito bites an infected person. The immature shizonticides (protozoal cells) undergo degradation in the gut of mosquito while the gametocytes move toward the stomach. The cells then undergo multiple fission and produces hundreds of small shizonts. These shizonts then move towards the salivary glands and are stored there for a while. As the anopheles female mosquito bites the human, it squirts the anticoagulant fluid in the victim and sucks the blood. The fluid contains the protozoal which enter the blood stream. The cells then invade the liver and become hypnozoites. These undergo the division and are released in blood. The parasite infected cells burst and release further more mature protozoa in blood which causes the chills and fever. The repeated episodes of this blood phase keep on occurring till the treatment. The parasite, therefore, acts as a carrier of the plasmodium, and spread malaria (Schwartz, Parise, Kozarsky, & Cetron, 2003). THE RECENT DISCOVERY It has just come to my knowledge that there was another genus of Plasmodium known as P. knowlesi. It was earlier recognized as the main cause of malaria. But the research later showed that it mostly infects the Macaques in Southeast Asia and humans to some extent. The malaria in this case spreads from animal to human. The animal was thought to be monkey which has been documented as a cause of human infections and deaths in the past. I also came by this fact that the malaria infected individual should not donate blood till three years. The blood bank follows the strict rules for accepting the donors who have been in the endemic area. The donor must remain symptomless for these years in order to be able to donate blood later in life. Among all the malarial species, P. vivax and P. ovale can for dormant liver stages that can reside inside the body for up to 3 to 4 years. The pregnant women are more susceptible to the disease by P. falciparum. P. falciparum infection may lead to the decrease baby’ weight which then reduces the chance of baby survival. EPIDEMIOLOGY It is an international health problem affecting 215 million people worldwide. Annually it causes about 665,000 deaths due to poor treatment regimen and atmospheric conditions. Despite the development and research on the disease, there are still many endemic areas for the occurrence of malaria. CDC has provided the data about these endemic countries, which is derived from the different sources like World Health Organization. Usually the attack is most common in the Southeast Asia, Africa and some parts of the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. Of all these cases, 65 % occur in Africa, 19% in Asia, 15% in Caribbean and to the lesser number in Europe. (Cdc.gov, 2011) It occurs in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Africa is the most affected one due to the variety of the efficient anopheles mosquitos, abundance of P. falciparum species and the poor socio economic resources. In other parts of the word, malaria is less prevalent and cause substantial disease (Wwwnc.cdc.gov, 2006). WORLD’S ACTION TO STOP SPREAD Malaria elimination strategies are being adapted by the various countries. Malarial eradication is defined as the reduction the widespread to the least magnitude. Many countries like the Western Europe and America has been successful in the approach. The global malaria eradication campaign was launched by WHO in 1955 which became successful in some of the major counties across the globe. The wide use of the WHO policies, available tools, strong national commitments and coordinated effort enabled many countries to eradicate malaria. Four countries have been announced malaria free which include, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Armenia and Turkmenistan. Insecticides A hallmark for the eradication and prevention for the malarial attack and spread is the spraying of the DDT on the malarial swamps. In late 50’s tons of DDT was shipped out all over the world. DDT lasts twice as long as any other best insecticide. In all the endemic places of the world, the government employs various officials to regulate this spraying policy. WHO is making constant effort to fund these poor countries to get them out of the critical crisis. Vaccines Research studies are being conducted by testing them on the people. They are given the attenuated malarial parasites that effectively immunize them for the shorter duration. Efforts are ongoing to develop a vaccine for malaria. Under these programs, the scientists are researching to recognize the nature of defensive immunity in humans and to induce the immune responses with malarial antigens. Genome sequencing Genome sequencing is another biotechnological method that allows the scientists to determine the parasite’s genetic makeup. This will help in the discovery if the new various targets of the antimalarial drugs. By investigating these blueprints, the disease causing genes can be altered. In addition, many simplest steps are being taken into practice to prevent the spread of the disease. These include, determining the chloroquine resistant species, season of reproduction of plasmodium, chemophylactic approach and limiting exposure to the protozoa. ORGANZIZATIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN MALARIA CDC The center for disease control and prevention is involved in the eradication of the various fatal diseases including malaria around the world. The major roles played by it are, Diagnostic assistance. Updating guidelines for treating malaria. Epidemiologic surveillance. Clinical programs Development and investigation of new drugs for preventing malaria. Improvement of national malarial control program. UNICEF In collaboration with United Nations, UNICEF is working for the betterment of the poor countries of the words. UNICEF ensures Universal coverage with effective interventions. Malaria related development programs are achieved on time. Reducing malarial mortality and morbidity by 75 percent. WHO WHO global malarial program is working for the eradication of malaria. The main goals of WHO are, Identifying the possible threats and acting up on them on time. Keeping independent score of global progress. Communicating the policies, strategies and guidelines with the locals. Strengthening the health system and capacity building for working. CONCLUSION Malaria can be observed as a disease which is transferred through mosquito bites, infected person’s blood donation and, in some studies it is said to spread from animals to humans. Malaria is one of the fatal diseases which takes lives of millions of people around the globe. In order to prevent Malaria, Insecticides, Vaccines and Genome Sequencing are some steps and measures taken by governments and health providers. There is still a lot more to be done in order to prevent people from this fatal disease. Education on Malaria examination, testing and prevention is recommended to further suppress the harms that it is causing. The stance on the control of malaria seems to be grim. Malaria has affected over 200 million people till now and is a cause of more than a half of million deaths worldwide each year. To make things worse the parasites has developed resistance over common drugs. Not only are they becoming resistant to drugs but also to insecticides. Only a few in todays’ world believe today that malaria shall be possibly eradicated in the foreseeable future. REFERENCES Top of Form Schwartz, E., Parise, M., Kozarsky, P., & Cetron, M. (January 01, 2003). Delayed onset of malaria--implications for chemoprophylaxis in travelers. The New England Journal of Medicine, 349, 16, 1510-6. Bottom of Form . Cdc.gov (2011). CDC - Malaria - Malaria Worldwide - Impact of Malaria. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/malaria_worldwide/impact.html [Accessed: 3 Sep 2013]. Cdc.gov (2010). CDC - Malaria - About Malaria - FAQs. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html [Accessed: 3 Sep 2013]. Wwwnc.cdc.gov (2006). Helminths, Soil-Transmitted - Chapter 3 - 2014 Yellow Book | Travelers' Health | CDC. [online] Retrieved from: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/helminths-soil-transmitted [Accessed: 3 Sep 2013] Read More