Plasmodium ovale
Classification
Eukaryota (Domain); Apicomplexa (Phylum); Aconoidasida (Class); Haemosporida (Order); Plasmodiidae (family); Plasmodium (genus)
Species
Plasmodium ovale
Description and Significance
Plasmodium ovale is a parasite of malaria that is in red blood cells and can look normal or even a little bit enlarged, up to 1 and 1/4 times the normal size, and can be oval or round. It has hair-like or finger-like projections surrounding the structure as well, which differs from regular red blood cells. Plasmodium ovale is a blood parasite and it typically resides in human blood as the most common host. One of the dormant stages of P. ovale is when it persists in the liver of the human and can eventually relapse up to years later. This bacterium is most often found in the Sub-Saharan Africa region but there is potential for possible distribution to other areas of the world, even though it can be rare. Because the bacteria can remain dormant in the liver, it is important to understand the effects of this bacterium and the issues that can come from an infection or exposure. Be aware of mosquitoes when you are in an area that has the potential of carrying this disease, as that is the typical vector. Although rare in some areas, it is important to be familiar with the possibility of infections when traveling to these areas and get any prior vaccinations possible to prevent the spread.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Plasmodium ovale is a protozoan disease, under the malaria infectious disease category, that is transmitted from a mosquito Anopheles via a bite. Plasmodium ovale is most commonly found in tropical Western Africa. Less than 1% of cases reported were found outside of the endemic region of Western Africa. Those countries include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Various malaria strains have been found in 107 countries and causes up to 3 million deaths per year. Plasmodium ovale is most commonly found in tropical Western Africa. Less than 1% of cases reported were found outside of the endemic region of Western Africa. Those countries include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. The ratio of Plasmodium ovale in comparison to other malaria infections is relatively low. It is recorded that 1:1000 cases of malaria are Plasmodium ovale. The severity of Plasmodium ovale is low due to the lack of cases. The disease is transmitted through the saliva of the Anopheles during a blood meal. The recorded symptoms of Plasmodium ovale include high fevers, headaches, fatigue, sweating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and orthostatic hypotension. The indicators of Plasmodium ovale as the specific strain of malaria are a patient presenting with a fever, rigors, and chill at reoccurring intervals. Anopheles and Plasmodium ovale have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship because both the disease and the mosquito benefit from the relationship. The Plasmodium ovale benefits from the Anopheles spreading the disease by relying on the Anopheles as its host. The Anopheles benefits because the Plasmodium ovale increases its lifespan via anti-aging transcriptomes and enhances chemoreceptor sensitivity.
References
Author
Page authored by Mason Clark, Anna Darlington, Kara Cotton, & Hanna Elberson, students of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.
