A patient diagnosed with malaria had fever periodicity of 72 hours. Organism implicated is
**Core Concept**
Fever periodicity in malaria is determined by the parasite's life cycle, specifically the erythrocytic stage. The erythrocytic stage is characterized by the schizonts maturing every 48 hours, resulting in a fever spike approximately 24 hours after the schizonts mature. This results in a 72-hour fever periodicity in some species of Plasmodium.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax species, which exhibit a 72-hour fever periodicity due to their schizonts maturing every 48 hours. This is in contrast to Plasmodium falciparum, which has a 48-hour fever periodicity and Plasmodium malariae, which has a 72-hour fever periodicity but with a different mechanism. The 72-hour fever periodicity in Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax is due to the time it takes for the parasites to mature from the schizont stage to the ring stage.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify the correct species of Plasmodium. While it may be related to the correct answer, it lacks specificity.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it does not match the clinical presentation of the patient. The patient's fever periodicity is 72 hours, which is not consistent with this organism.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it is not related to the patient's fever periodicity. This organism has a different mechanism of causing fever.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In malaria, the fever periodicity can help narrow down the species involved. Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax typically have a 72-hour fever periodicity, while Plasmodium falciparum has a 48-hour fever periodicity.
**Correct Answer:** C. Plasmodium malariae