How Do You Spell PLASMODIUM VIVAX?

1. Plasmodium vivax is a species of parasitic protozoa that belongs to the genus Plasmodium, which is responsible for causing malaria in humans. It is one of the five species of malaria parasites that can infect people, along with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi.

   Plasmodium vivax is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly in South America, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

   This species of Plasmodium has a complex life cycle, involving both humans and mosquitoes. Once inside the human body, the parasites multiply within liver cells before infecting red blood cells. This leads to the characteristic recurring fevers, chills, and flu-like symptoms associated with malaria.

   One notable characteristic of Plasmodium vivax is its ability to remain dormant in the liver for extended periods, which can cause relapses of the disease months or even years after the initial infection. This feature makes the treatment and eradication of this species more challenging compared to others.

   Although Plasmodium vivax generally causes milder symptoms compared to Plasmodium falciparum, it can still result in severe illness, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems or those experiencing repeated infections. Prompt and effective treatment is crucial to prevent complications and reduce transmission.

2. The parasite of tertian malaria.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PLASMODIUM VIVAX

The word "Plasmodium vivax" has its etymology rooted in Latin.

- "Plasmodium" comes from the Greek word "plásma" meaning "form" or "shape", and the Latin suffix "-odium" indicating "belonging to". It is commonly used to refer to a type of protozoan organism that has multiple nuclei and amoeboid movement.

- "Vivax" comes from the Latin word "vivax" which means "vigorous" or "lively". In this context, it refers to the vivax strain of the Plasmodium parasite, named as such due to its ability to repeatedly relapse and cause multiple occurrences of infection.

Therefore, "Plasmodium vivax" refers to a specific species of the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria, characterized by its amoeboid movement and ability to cause relapsing infections.