Hypnozoite

Hypnozoite is a life-cycle stage of certain parasitic protozoa such as the Plasmodium species P. vivax and P. ovale, which cause malaria. Hypnozoites are responsible for the relapse of these forms of malaria, as they can remain dormant in the liver for several months or even years before becoming active and causing disease.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of the hypnozoite begins when a female Anopheles mosquito carrying the Plasmodium parasite bites a human. The parasite is transferred to the human's bloodstream, where it travels to the liver and invades the liver cells. Some of these parasites develop into hypnozoites, which remain dormant in the liver cells. The hypnozoites can reactivate at a later time, causing a relapse of malaria.

Relapse

The reactivation of hypnozoites and the subsequent relapse of malaria can occur months or even years after the initial infection. This relapse can occur even if the initial infection was successfully treated with antimalarial drugs. The reason for the reactivation of hypnozoites is not fully understood, but it is thought to be triggered by various factors such as stress or illness.

Treatment

The treatment of malaria caused by P. vivax and P. ovale can be complicated by the presence of hypnozoites. Standard antimalarial drugs are effective against the active forms of the parasite, but not against the dormant hypnozoites. A drug called primaquine is used to kill the hypnozoites and prevent relapse, but it can cause side effects in people with certain genetic conditions.

Research

Research into hypnozoites and their role in malaria relapse is ongoing. Understanding the biology of hypnozoites and finding ways to effectively target them with drugs is a key area of focus in the fight against malaria.

See Also

• Malaria
• Plasmodium
• Anopheles
• Primaquine

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