Malarial Parasite

The malarial parasite test detects the presence of malarial parasites in the blood, transferred by the Anopheles mosquito during the bite. One of the oldest recorded diseases globally, the malarial parasites induce the signs of discomfort, thereby known as malaria. The female Anopheles mosquito transmits it. There are four types of malarial parasites, namely, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malaria, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax. Among these, P. falciparum is the deadliest parasite and malarial parasites as a whole kill nearly 1 million people globally. Diagnostic measures are essential to identify the disease, notify the authorities and control it before it becomes an epidemic. The malarial parasite test is the most accurate and commonly performed test used for the diagnosis of malaria. It uses thick and thin blood smears from the patient’s samples and yields results within 2-4 hours. A detailed microscopic examination can help a pathologist identify the malarial parasite causing the infection. The malarial parasite reports then assist the physician in initiating the treatment process efficiently. Malaria is an infectious disease but not like cold or flu. It is still advised to keep the patient isolated or in protective clothing as the disease can be transmitted by biting an infected mosquito (here, female Anopheles). The only mode of transmission is via mosquito and person to person. Rarely, malaria can also spread due to blood transfusion, placenta to the fetus and transplant procedures. Malarial parasite tests and other diagnostic measures ensure that these transmissions are prevented from happening. Given the World Malaria Report 2019, India remains the main malaria contributor in the Southeast Asia Region. Nevertheless, our country has shown a marked reduction based on its history of malaria outbreaks. Malaria affects all ages and sexes and is more prevalent in Africa (tropical and subtropical regions). Anopheles is a mosquito of low socioeconomic and unhygienic conditions. This is the reason behind the disappearance of malaria from most developed countries.