What type of pathogen is responsible for malaria?

Malaria is caused by a type of protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Plasmodium. Protozoa are microscopic, single-celled organisms that can live and reproduce in various environments, including inside a host. The life cycle of the Plasmodium species involves both the Anopheles mosquito and human hosts, highlighting the complexity of its transmission.

In the case of malaria, when an infected mosquito bites a human, the Plasmodium parasites enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver, where they multiply. After a period of time, the parasites re-enter the bloodstream and invade red blood cells, leading to the symptoms of malaria, such as fever, chills, and anemia.

Understanding that malaria is caused by protozoa is crucial for the development of treatment and prevention measures, including antimalarial medications and mosquito control strategies. The other pathogen types—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—each have different structures, life cycles, and associated diseases, which are not relevant to malaria.