Name the vector that transmits malaria?

NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2019

Microbiology

Easy

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

Malaria is a protozoal disease caused by the genus Plasmodium.
It is transmitted to humans exclusively through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Female mosquitoes require a blood meal to produce eggs, and during this feeding process, they inject the Plasmodium parasite's infectious stage (sporozoites) into the human bloodstream.
The Anopheles mosquito is a nocturnal feeder, with peak biting times between dusk and dawn.

Option B: Male mosquitoes do not take blood meals; they feed on plant juices and nectar. Since they do not bite humans or animals, they cannot transmit blood-borne pathogens like the malaria parasite.
Option C: The Aedes genus of mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, are vectors for different diseases, primarily viral infections such as Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Zika virus, and Yellow fever. They are characteristically daytime biters.
Option D: The Culex genus of mosquitoes are the primary vectors for diseases like Japanese Encephalitis and Bancroftian filariasis (a major cause of Lymphatic Filariasis). They are not the vectors for malaria.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vector-borne diseases and malaria transmission as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying the correct vector is critical for public health. Since Anopheles mosquitoes are night-biters, interventions like using insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are highly effective malaria prevention strategies.
Nurses play a key role in educating patients and communities about malaria prevention, including eliminating stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed and using personal protective measures like repellents and appropriate clothing, especially from dusk to dawn.
What if? A patient from a rural area presents with high fever and chills. The nurse's assessment should include travel history and questions about mosquito exposure, particularly at night, to help differentiate between malaria and other febrile illnesses like dengue (transmitted by day-biting Aedes mosquitoes).

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of communicable diseases and their vectors.
First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'malaria'.
Second, recall the specific vector responsible for transmitting the malaria parasite (Plasmodium).
Third, evaluate the options provided. You should remember that Anopheles is the genus linked to malaria.
Fourth, differentiate between the sexes of the mosquito. Only females take blood meals to nourish their eggs, making them the sole transmitters of the disease. This eliminates 'Male Anopheles'.
Finally, distinguish between the different mosquito genera. Aedes and Culex are vectors for other significant diseases but not malaria. This confirms 'Female Anopheles' as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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