Why doesn't the plasmodium falciparum not have shizonts?

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In summary, P. vivax and P. falciparum are two types of malaria that have different characteristics. P. vivax produces benign tertian malaria and has hypnozoites that can remain dormant in hepatocytes. P. falciparum produces malignant tertian malaria and does not have hypnozoites. Both types go through a schizont form, but P. falciparum can invade all ages of RBCs while P. vivax only likes young RBCs. P. vivax is unique in that it can remain dormant as hypnozoites and requires additional medication for treatment. Differentiating between the two types of malaria through light microscopy is not reliable and PCR is the preferred
  • #1
sameeralord
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Hello everyone,

I'm learning Malaria right now, and thought it would be good for me to differentiate plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum.

P.V
Produces benign tertian malaria,
Some sporozoites remain as hypnozoites,
Merozoites enter new RBCS
Ring stage, amoeboid, shizont, gametocyte can be identified using microscope

P.F
Produces malignant tertian malaria,
Cause more severe infection
No hynozoites,
Merozoites enter RBC of all ages
Only ring stage and gametocyte can be identifed using microscope

Now my questions are,

1. What is the difference between malignant and benign malaria? Malignant one obviously sounds bad but what is the exact difference.
2. Now why are amoeboids and shizonts not seen with P.F. To complete the life cycle these stages must occur right, are these stages occurring with plasmodium falciparum, if so why can't we see it in peripheral blood.

Also if there are any difference between too, please add. Thank you :smile:
 
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  • #2
Sammeeralord,

You might find this TED Video I posted recently on Malaria transmission, infection progression interesting for general background, but not to address your question(s).

Have a https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=568396.

Rhody...
 
  • #3
Sameer,

P. vivax and ovale can establish "latent" infections via the dormant form: hypnozoites. Why doesn't P. falciparum do this? I don't know, take it up with evolution! :P

PF still goes through a schizont form though, not sure where you heard that. Got a source?

Here's a picture!

P. falciparum schizonts;
http://dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/images/ParasiteImages/M-R/Malaria/falciparum/Pf_schizont_thinC.jpg

PF causes more severe malarial parasitemia because it can invade all RBCs.

P. vivax and ovale on the other hand, only like young, supple RBCs (immature RBCs)--I'm sure that probably has to do with how the parasite gains access to the cells and the different receptors it does it through--But the specifics of that kind of information is venturing into the land of low-yield for clinical medicine.

P. malariae only invades senescent RBCs.

The important thing to know about P. vivax is that it can remain dormant as the hypnozoites. As such, you have to add primaquine to a treatment regime (the typicals like chloroquine and mefloquine aren't active against hypnozoites, only erythrocytic forms). Hypnozoites stay in hepatocytes, while the other stages of malaria move to the plasma.

I think you should probably just know the generals of the lifecycle like;

Sporozoite→ attachment to hepatocyte and entry→ schizont (some for vivax and ovale can turn into hypnozoites here)→ differentiation into merozoites→ rupture and release into plasma→ attachment and invasion of RBCs→ ring stage → trophozoites→ differentiation into schizonts (repeat cycle) and gametocytes (small number, taken up by mosquitos where they finish life cycle).

Really to differentiate falciparum and vivax via light microscopy you look for multiple ring forms in RBCs for PF and Schüffner's dots in young RBCs (like reticulocytes). Really differentiating between plasmodium species by microscopy is a terrible way to go about it. Its generally done by PCR in reference labs.
 
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FAQ: Why doesn't the plasmodium falciparum not have shizonts?

Why doesn't the plasmodium falciparum have shizonts?

The plasmodium falciparum, a parasite responsible for causing malaria, does not have shizonts because it is a unicellular organism and therefore does not have the ability to form multiple stages of development like shizonts. Shizonts are only found in multicellular organisms.

Is the absence of shizonts in plasmodium falciparum related to its pathogenicity?

No, the absence of shizonts in plasmodium falciparum is not directly related to its pathogenicity. The parasite is able to cause malaria through other means such as invading red blood cells and replicating within them.

Can shizonts be found in other species of plasmodium?

Yes, shizonts are found in other species of plasmodium, such as plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale. These species are also responsible for causing malaria in humans and have a more complex life cycle compared to plasmodium falciparum.

What is the purpose of shizonts in the life cycle of plasmodium?

Shizonts have a crucial role in the life cycle of some species of plasmodium. They are responsible for the production of merozoites, which are the infectious form of the parasite. These merozoites are released into the bloodstream and invade red blood cells, continuing the cycle of infection.

Could plasmodium falciparum potentially develop shizonts in the future?

It is unlikely for plasmodium falciparum to develop shizonts in the future as it has been observed to have a simpler life cycle compared to other species of plasmodium. However, with further research and understanding of the parasite, it is always a possibility for changes to occur in its life cycle.

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