Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage parasite; Plasmodium vivax blood-stage parasite (P. falciparum (Pf); P. vivax (Pv))

Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax blood-stage parasites are the asexual erythrocytic forms of malaria protozoa responsible for the symptoms and clinical manifestations of malaria. They invade red blood cells, multiply, and cause hemolysis, fever, anemia, and organ complications. The blood-stage includes trophozoites, schizonts, and gametocytes, which are targets for most anti-malarial drugs. P. falciparum can infect red blood cells of all ages, is associated with high-grade parasitemia, crescent-shaped gametocytes, and severe malaria syndromes. P. vivax preferentially infects reticulocytes, leads to lower levels of parasitemia, and can cause relapses due to hypnozoite liver forms. Parasitemia levels and presence of gametocytes are key diagnostic and prognostic indicators. This entry involves whole-organism blood-stage forms, not a single molecule/receptor, making it less suitable for molecular target databases. For structured records, it is recommended to specify species and stage more precisely, or to focus on defined molecular targets within the parasite (e.g., Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-resistance transporter, PfCRT; dihydrofolate reductase, PfDHFR).

Other names

Malaria blood-stage parasiteAsexual Plasmodium blood-stageErythrocytic stage of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), Plasmodium vivax (Pv)Falciparum malaria asexual parasiteVivax malaria asexual parasite

Inhibition of heme polymerization (e.g., chloroquine, quinine) Generation of oxidative stress/free radicals (e.g., artemisinins) Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport (e.g., atovaquone) Interruption of folate metabolism (e.g., sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) Eradication of hypnozoite liver stage (e.g., primaquine for P. vivax)