A 25-year-old student is experiencing recurrent fevers and jaundice after returning from a trip to Sub-Saharan Africa. A diagnosis of Plasmodium ovale malaria is made. In addition to standard treatment, primaquine is added. Which stage of the infecting organism’s life-cycle is targeted by this drug?
Gametocyte
Hypnozoite
Merozoite
Sporozoite
Trophozoite
Correct answer
Hypnozoite
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correct answer: B
Malaria is a widespread tropical infection, causing disease in 400 million people per year, and killing 1-3 million. 4 species commonly cause malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. vivax. Of these, P. vivax and P. ovale may form hypnozoites, which can remain dormant in the liver for up to 30 years. Primaquine is effective at killing these sleeping (hypno = sleep) forms.