What Role Do Sporozoites Play in the Disease Cycle?
Sporozoites are crucial for the initiation of malaria infection. Once inside the liver, they transform into merozoites, which subsequently enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells. This leads to the clinical manifestations of malaria, such as fever, chills, and anemia. In Cryptosporidium infection, sporozoites are responsible for initiating the infection in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
