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Malaria Transmission Cycle: Mosquito Vector and Plasmodium Development
Malaria transmission requires the Anopheles mosquito as definitive host for Plasmodium sexual reproduction.
Cycle Steps
- Gametocyte ingestion: Mosquito takes blood meal from infected human; ingests male/female gametocytes.
- Gametogenesis in midgut: Temperature/pH change triggers exflagellation — microgametes fertilize macrogametes → zygotes.
- Ookinete formation: Zygotes become motile ookinetes; penetrate midgut wall → oocysts on basal lamina.
- Sporogony: Oocysts mature (10–18 days), releasing thousands of sporozoites into hemocoel.
- Salivary gland invasion: Sporozoites migrate to salivary glands; mosquito now infectious.
- Transmission: Next bite injects sporozoites with saliva → human hepatocyte infection → erythrocytic cycle.
Key Points
- Only female Anopheles transmit (blood meal for oviposition).
- Extrinsic incubation period (EIP) temperature-dependent; warmer = faster.
- Vector control (ITNs, IRS, larviciding) targets mosquito lifespan < EIP.
Understanding this cycle underpins elimination strategies.
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