One of the most characteristic symptoms of malaria is the alternation of attacks (involving a cold phase, a hot phase, and a sweating phase) with periods of 1 or 2 days of no or few fevers.  Given the life cycle of Plasmodium what is the best explanation for this pattern: When free in the blood, merozoites release chemicals that directly cause body responses. Merozoites appear in coordinated “waves”, which explains the cycling attacks Merozoites entering the red blood cells generate a strong response from the red blood cells, which stimulates a massive immune response Attack phase correlates with simultaneous bursting of infected red blood cells, releasing thousands or millions of merozoites. This triggers massive immune response, resulting in symptoms Plasmodium generates a constant accumulation of irritants in the blood, mostly residues from digesting hemoglobin . Once the amount reaches a critical level, these trigger a massive immune response

Concepts of Biology
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ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
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Chapter13: Diversity Of Microbes, Fungi, And Protists
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Problem 19CTQ: Why can superficial mycoses in humans lead to bacterial infections?
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One of the most characteristic symptoms of malaria is the alternation of attacks (involving a cold phase, a hot phase, and a sweating phase) with periods of 1 or 2 days of no or few fevers.  Given the life cycle of Plasmodium what is the best explanation for this pattern:

  • When free in the blood, merozoites release chemicals that directly cause body responses. Merozoites appear in coordinated “waves”, which explains the cycling attacks
  • Merozoites entering the red blood cells generate a strong response from the red blood cells, which stimulates a massive immune response
  • Attack phase correlates with simultaneous bursting of infected red blood cells, releasing thousands or millions of merozoites. This triggers massive immune response, resulting in symptoms
  • Plasmodium generates a constant accumulation of irritants in the blood, mostly residues from digesting hemoglobin . Once the amount reaches a critical level, these trigger a massive immune response
Expert Solution
Introduction:

Malaria a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodia. there are more than 3 known protozoan species of Plasmodium that cause the disease in humans. The disease is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells and a fall in hemoglobin. It causes fever and rigors. The fever is periodic with alternating highs and lows.

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