Types Of Malaria In Pregnancy

There are different types of malaria infection during pregnancy. Generally, there are five types of malaria infection. They are classified based on the causative parasites. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.

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Type Of Malaria Infection

Five species of malarial parasites infect humans (Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi). P. vivax is the most common worldwide; P. falciparum is responsible for the most severe disease.

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Types Of Malaria In Pregnancy

Four species of Plasmodium can infect pregnant women, but the prevalence and effect of Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae in pregnancy are currently unknown. Plasmodium knowlesi is rare during pregnancy.

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Pregnant women are at increased risk to both P. vivax as well as P. falciparum infection, but the risk is more for P. falciparum.