Malariology (A Continuing Education Activity)

Malariology is the scientific study of Malaria. Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable. Malaria can be caused by several species of Plasmodium parasites, each of which has a complex life cycle.Malaria parasites are transmitted to human hosts by female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. Numerous physiological, behavioral, and ecological characteristics determine how effective various Anopheles species are as vectors of malaria. They cause illness, abnormal function, or damage in their human hosts. “Uncomplicated” malaria entails a series of recurring episodes of chills, intense fever, and sweating and sometimes includes other symptoms such as headache, malaise, fatigue, body aches, nausea, and vomiting.In some cases, and especially in groups such as children and pregnant women, the disease can progress to “severe malaria,” including complications such as cerebral malaria/coma, seizures, severe anemia, respiratory distress, kidney and liver failure, cardiovascular collapse, and shock. Long-term impacts include death, disability, and significant socioeconomic burden on societies where the disease is prevalent. A better understanding of the biological processes underlying the progression of infection to disease is urgently needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality of malaria.Over the past several years, the completion of several genome projects related to malaria has marked the beginning of a new era of malaria research. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIAID-supported researchers have sequenced the genomes of 16 Anopheline mosquito species, including the Anopheles gambiae mosquito, a major malaria vector, and more than 100 isolates of both Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, and Plasmodium vivax, the most widespread malaria parasite. Plasmodium ovale is a species of parasitic protozoon (plural: protozoan) that causes tertian malaria in humans. Like the other malaria parasites of primates, this parasite is only transmitted via the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The interaction between the Plasmodium parasite and host immune system during infection strikes a tenuous balance. The relationship can elicit protective immunity or trigger harmful immune responses. The complex nature of both the malaria parasite and the human immune response has made it difficult to unravel the mechanisms of protection or pathology in humans. An improved understanding of the immunology of malaria is likely to provide key insights into ways to enhance human immunity while reducing disease burdens. Analytical data is critical to both developing novel vaccines and drugs and implementing effective control and prevention programs.Understanding malaria on a population level and determining the biological, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence malaria epidemiology and transmission are especially important as the global community strengthens anti-malaria efforts.As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly around the globe, there is an urgent need to aggressively tackle the novel coronavirus while ensuring that other killer diseases, such as malaria, are not neglected. The WHO Global Malaria Programme is leading a cross-partner effort to mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus in malaria-affected countries and, where possible, contribute towards a successful COVID-19 response;The Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 (GTS) & Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) are aimed at calls for all malaria-endemic countries to accelerate efforts towards elimination and attainment of malaria-free status. Also in combating re-establishment in Malaria free countries.Along with the Roll Back Malaria (RBM), US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Action and Investment to defeat Malaria 2016-2030 (AIM) and various other malaria fighters ambitious targets of reducing malaria case incidence and mortality rates globally by at least 90% by 2030.