What disease is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes?

The disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes is malaria. This infection is notable for its transmission cycle, which involves the Anopheles mosquito as a vector that carries the Plasmodium parasites from one host to another. When an infected mosquito bites a human, it injects the parasites into the bloodstream, leading to the characteristic symptoms of malaria such as fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Understanding the role of the Anopheles mosquito in this life cycle is crucial for prevention and control measures against malaria, as these mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and are most active during dawn and dusk.

The other diseases mentioned—typhoid, dengue, and cholera—are caused by different pathogens and transmitted through different mechanisms. Typhoid is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria and is typically spread through contaminated food and water. Dengue, caused by the dengue virus, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, not Anopheles. Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae, is also primarily spread through contaminated water sources. Therefore, malaria is the only disease in the list directly linked to the Plasmodium parasites and Anopheles mosquitoes.