Plasmodium—a brief introduction to the parasites causing human malaria and their basic biology

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most devastating infectious diseases of humans. It is problematic clinically and economically as it prevails in poorer countries and regions, strongly hindering socioeconomic development. The causative agents of malaria are unicellular protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. These parasites infect not only humans but also other vertebrates, from reptiles and birds to mammals. To date, over 200 species of Plasmodium have been formally described, and each species infects a certain range of hosts. Plasmodium species that naturally infect humans and cause malaria in large areas of the world are limited to five—P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi. The first four are specific for humans, while P. knowlesi is naturally maintained in macaque monkeys and causes zoonotic malaria widely in South East Asia. Transmission of Plasmodium species between vertebrate hosts depends on an insect vector, which is usually the mosquito. The vector is not just a carrier but the definitive host, where sexual reproduction of Plasmodium species occurs, and the parasite’s development in the insect is essential for transmission to the next vertebrate host. The range of insect species that can support the critical development of Plasmodium depends on the individual parasite species, but all five Plasmodium species causing malaria in humans are transmitted exclusively by anopheline mosquitoes. Plasmodium species have remarkable genetic flexibility which lets them adapt to alterations in the environment, giving them the potential to quickly develop resistance to therapeutics such as antimalarials and to change host specificity. In this article, selected topics involving the Plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans are reviewed.

Uji Efikasi Kapsul Pare-Primakuin dan DHP-Primakuin serta Pengaruhnya terhadap Kualitas Hidup Pasien Malaria Falsiparum Tanpa Komplikasi di RSUD Manokwari Tahun 2019

“…Hal ini karena nyamuk yang membawa parasit malaria dari satu manusia ke yang lain, mampu berkembang biak dengan baik di daerah yang hangat beriklim lembab di mana kolam air terdapat dimana-mana. Penyebab malaria adalah plasmodium; termasuk dalam famili plasmodium 13 .…”

Safety and Efficacy of Tafenoquine for Plasmodium vivax Malaria Prophylaxis and Radical Cure: Overview and Perspectives

“…[15][16][17] The most widespread cause of human malaria globally is P. vivax, 18 the other common etiological agent being P. falciparum. One of the ways in which the biology of P. vivax differs [19][20][21] from that of P. falciparum is that the latter does not seem to occur in a hypnozoite form. P. vivax-like recurrences sometimes take place in humans infected with P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri.…”

Identification of host tRNAs preferentially recognized by the Plasmodium surface protein tRip

“…Over 250 Plasmodium species infect reptiles, birds, and mammals. Among them, six species infect humans including Plasmodium falciparum , the most dangerous strain, especially for children ( 3 ).…”