Question

What is the incubation period and fever pattern for P. malariae?

Options

• 14 days incubation; high fever after 48 hours

• 28 days incubation; high fever after 72 hours

• 12 days incubation; irregular fever pattern

• 17 days incubation; high fever after 48 hours

Answer 1

P. malariae has an incubation period of 28 days with high fever appearing after every 72 hours (quartan fever). This is the longest incubation period among the mentioned Plasmodium species and represents a four-day fever cycle.