Haemamoeba

Haemamoeba
Classification and external resources

Haemamoeba is a genus of protozoan parasites that are known to cause malaria in humans and other animals. The term "Haemamoeba" is often used synonymously with the genus Plasmodium, which includes several species responsible for malaria, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae.

Overview

Haemamoeba are obligate intracellular parasites that primarily infect red blood cells in their vertebrate hosts. The life cycle of these parasites involves both asexual and sexual reproduction, occurring in two different hosts: a vertebrate host (such as humans) and an insect vector (typically a mosquito).

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Haemamoeba involves several stages:

Sporozoite Stage

The life cycle begins when an infected mosquito bites a vertebrate host, injecting sporozoites into the bloodstream. These sporozoites travel to the liver, where they invade hepatocytes and undergo asexual replication, forming merozoites.

Merozoite Stage

Merozoites are released into the bloodstream, where they invade red blood cells. Inside the red blood cells, they develop into trophozoites, which further mature into schizonts. Schizonts rupture the red blood cells, releasing more merozoites to infect additional red blood cells.

Gametocyte Stage

Some merozoites differentiate into sexual forms called gametocytes. When a mosquito bites an infected host, it ingests these gametocytes, which then undergo sexual reproduction in the mosquito's gut, forming zygotes.

Oocyst Stage

The zygotes develop into oocysts, which produce sporozoites. These sporozoites migrate to the mosquito's salivary glands, ready to be transmitted to a new vertebrate host, completing the cycle.

Clinical Manifestations

In humans, Haemamoeba infections can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and anemia. Severe cases can lead to complications such as cerebral malaria, organ failure, and death.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Haemamoeba infections is typically made through microscopic examination of blood smears, where the parasites can be visualized within red blood cells. Molecular techniques such as PCR can also be used for more accurate identification.

Treatment

Treatment involves the use of antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), and others, depending on the species and resistance patterns.

Prevention

Preventive measures include mosquito control strategies, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, as well as prophylactic antimalarial medications for travelers to endemic areas.

Also see

• Malaria
• Plasmodium
• Mosquito
• Antimalarial medication