Scientific Sessions

Malaria is one of the most prevalent and deadly protozoan diseases, caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus, including P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once inside the body, the parasites travel to the liver, multiply, and then infect red blood cells, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and anemia. P. falciparum is the most severe form, often leading to life-threatening complications like cerebral malaria and organ failure if left untreated. Malaria remains a major public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and South America. Prevention strategies include insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, and prophylactic medications for travelers. Treatment typically involves antimalarial drugs such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), with prompt diagnosis being crucial to prevent complications and reduce mortality.

Beyond malaria, several other protozoan diseases significantly impact human health worldwide. Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, spreads through ingestion of contaminated food or water and can lead to diarrhea, dysentery, and liver abscesses. Giardiasis, caused by Giardia lamblia, is another waterborne infection that results in gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and malabsorption. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by sandflies, is caused by Leishmania species and can present in cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral forms, the latter being potentially fatal without treatment. Trypanosomiasis, including African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei, spread by tsetse flies) and Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi, spread by triatomine bugs), causes chronic health problems affecting the nervous system, heart, and digestive tract. These protozoan diseases share certain features—being parasitic, often vector-borne, and disproportionately affecting low-resource regions—but differ in transmission routes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Control measures include improving sanitation, ensuring access to clean water, controlling vectors, and enhancing public health awareness. Research into vaccines, novel drugs, and rapid diagnostics remains essential to reducing the global burden of these infections.