Clinical Significance

Malaria is an insect-borne disease caused by Plasmodium infection through the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes or the importation of blood from Plasmodium carriers. There are four species of Plasmodium parasites in human body, namely Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium trisporus, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale. In China, the main parasites are Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum; the other two species are rare, and some cases imported from abroad are occasionally seen in recent years.

Different Plasmodium parasites cause Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium trisomy 21, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale respectively. The disease is mainly manifested by periodic regular attacks, generalized chills, fever and sweating, and can cause anemia and splenomegaly after many long-term attacks.