How frequently does ovale malaria cause febrile episodes?

Ovale malaria, caused by Plasmodium ovale, is characterized by the occurrence of febrile episodes every 48 hours. This pattern is primarily due to the developmental cycle of the malaria parasites within the human host. Plasmodium ovale has a specific lifecycle that results in the synchronized release of merozoites into the bloodstream every other day, leading to episodes of fever often occurring on an every-other-day basis.

This aligns with the general categorization of malaria species based on their fever patterns, where ovale malaria is distinct from other types, such as Plasmodium vivax, which also causes febrile episodes every 48 hours, and Plasmodium falciparum, which results in shorter cycles, typically around 24 hours. Thus, the correct response reflects the typical febrile pattern associated with ovale malaria.