Cerebral malignant malaria is caused by

Options

A. Plasmodium falciparum
B. Plasmodium malariae
C. Plasmodium vivax
D. Plasmodium ovale

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Question**: The question asks which organism causes cerebral malignant malaria.

2. **Understand Malaria**: Malaria is caused by parasitic protozoans from the genus Plasmodium. There are several species of Plasmodium that can infect humans.

3. **List the Options**: The options provided are:
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Plasmodium malariae
- Plasmodium vivax
- Plasmodium ovale

4. **Identify the Vector**: Malaria is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. This is important for understanding how the disease spreads.

5. **Focus on Cerebral Malignant Malaria**: Cerebral malignant malaria is a severe form of malaria that affects the brain.

6. **Determine the Causative Agent**: Among the listed options, Plasmodium falciparum is known to cause cerebral malignant malaria. It is the most virulent species and is responsible for the majority of severe malaria cases.

7. **Explain the Mechanism**: In Plasmodium falciparum malaria, the destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes) occurs due to the mature schizonts (a stage in the life cycle of the parasite). These parasites alter the surface properties of the infected red blood cells, causing them to adhere to blood vessel walls, a phenomenon known as cytoadherence.

8. **Consequences of Cytoadherence**: This cytoadherence leads to obstruction of microcirculation, which can cause dysfunction of multiple organs, including the brain, resulting in cerebral malaria.

9. **Final Answer**: Therefore, the organism that causes cerebral malignant malaria is **Plasmodium falciparum**.

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