vivax malaria n malaria caused by a plasmodium (Plasmodium vivax) that induces paroxysms at 48-hour intervals compare FALCIPARUM MALARIA
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malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. Although this type is less severe than falciparum malaria, it can cause severe symptoms such as anemia. Often there are relapses because of hypnozoites that persist in the liver after cure of the blood stages of the parasite. Febrile paroxysms often recur every other day (tertian malaria), but may recur daily (quotidian malaria). Infected red blood cells often appear enlarged on a stained blood film, because the parasite tends to infect younger erythrocytes. Called also benign tertian m.Medical dictionary. 2011.