What is another name for quartan malaria caused by Plasmodium malariae?

What is another name for quartan malaria caused by Plasmodium malariae?

• A. Every 24 hours
• B. Every 48 hours
• C. Every 72 hours
• D. Every 36 hours

Answer: (C)

Quartan malaria, which is caused by the parasite Plasmodium malariae, is characterized by a distinct fever pattern that recurs every 72 hours. This means that patients experience fever spikes on every third day. The naming of quartan malaria is derived from the Latin word "quartanus," meaning "fourth," indicating that symptoms follow this repeating cycle. This cyclical fever pattern is a key feature of the disease, helping in its identification and differentiation from other types of malaria caused by different Plasmodium species, which typically exhibit fever every 48 hours, such as in the case of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, or every 24 hours in the case of Plasmodium falciparum. Understanding these patterns is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria.

Quartan malaria, which is caused by the parasite Plasmodium malariae, is characterized by a distinct fever pattern that recurs every 72 hours. This means that patients experience fever spikes on every third day. The naming of quartan malaria is derived from the Latin word "quartanus," meaning "fourth," indicating that symptoms follow this repeating cycle. This cyclical fever pattern is a key feature of the disease, helping in its identification and differentiation from other types of malaria caused by different Plasmodium species, which typically exhibit fever every 48 hours, such as in the case of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, or every 24 hours in the case of Plasmodium falciparum. Understanding these patterns is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria.