Which stage follows the sporozoite injection in the life cycle of Plasmodium within the human host?

The life cycle of Plasmodium begins when Anopheles mosquitoes inject sporozoites into the human bloodstream. Following this initial injection, the sporozoites travel through the bloodstream to the liver, where they enter liver cells known as hepatocytes. This is a crucial step because the sporozoites must infect the liver cells to develop into the next stage of their life cycle.

During their time in the liver, the sporozoites undergo asexual reproduction, eventually forming merozoites. However, this process occurs only after they have successfully invaded the hepatocytes. Therefore, the stage that follows the injection of sporozoites is their travel to the liver and subsequent infection of the liver cells.

This foundational stage is essential for the Plasmodium life cycle, as it enables the parasite to multiply in a controlled environment before entering the bloodstream in the next phase of infection. By producing merozoites, the parasites are primed to invade red blood cells, leading to the symptoms associated with malaria.