Question

Define prepatent period. What is its duration in the life cycle of Plasmodium vivax?

Answer 1

Life Span. Once ingested by a mosquito,malaria parasites must undergo development within the mosquito before they are infectious to humans. The time required for development in the mosquito (the extrinsic incubation period) ranges from 10 to 21 days, depending on the parasite species and the temperature.

Answer 2

Ans- Prepatent period is defined as the period between infection with a parasite and the demonstration of the parasite in the body especially as determined by the recovery of an infective form (as oocysts or eggs) from the blood or feces. The prepatent period of Plasmodium vivax in the human ranges from 12 to 20 days. Some forms in the liver have delayed development, and relapse may occur after periods of up to 4 years after infection.