In malaria, pigmentation of skin and urine occurs due to

Options

A. Schuffner's granules
B. Excessive loss of RBCs
C. Excessive degeneration of haemoglobin
D. All the above.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Malaria and Its Cause**: Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The most common species responsible for malaria are Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, and others.

2. **Infection Process**: Once the sporozoites (the infective stage of the Plasmodium) enter the human body, they travel to the liver where they develop into metacryptozoites. These then multiply and are released back into the bloodstream.

3. **Effect on Red Blood Cells (RBCs)**: The released Plasmodium invades red blood cells and undergoes several developmental stages: trophozoite, signet ring stage, and amoeboid stage. During these stages, the parasite consumes hemoglobin from the RBCs.

4. **Hemoglobin Degradation**: As the Plasmodium breaks down hemoglobin, it produces toxic byproducts, including hemozoin granules. This degradation leads to the destruction of red blood cells, which is a significant aspect of malaria pathology.

5. **Pigmentation of Skin and Urine**: The breakdown products of hemoglobin, particularly heme, can lead to the pigmentation of the skin and urine. The heme is converted into bilirubin, which can accumulate and cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and dark urine.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the pigmentation of skin and urine in malaria is primarily due to the degradation of hemoglobin and the resultant accumulation of bilirubin in the body.

**Final Answer**: The pigmentation of skin and urine in malaria occurs due to the degradation of hemoglobin and the accumulation of bilirubin.

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