Pondering Plasmodium: Revealing the Parasites Driving Human Malaria and Their Core Biology in Context of Antimalarial Medications By Ankur Kumar, Priyanka Singh, Ganesh Kumar Verma, Avinash Bairwa, Priyanka Naithani, Jitender Gairolla, Ashish Kothari, Kriti Mohan and Balram Ji Omar
Malaria is one of the most severe infectious diseases, imposing significant clinical and financial burdens, particularly in underdeveloped regions, and hindering socioeconomic development. The disease is caused by unicellular protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which infect not only humans but also various animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Among over 200 recognized Plasmodium species, five—P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi—pose serious risks to human health. The first four are specific to humans, while P. knowlesi, primarily found in macaque monkeys, is responsible for zoonotic malaria in Southeast Asia. Malaria transmission relies on an intermediate insect vector, typically Anopheles mosquitoes, which act as both carriers and final hosts, facilitating the sexual reproduction of the parasite. This dependence on anopheline mosquitoes underscores the complex ecological dynamics influencing malaria epidemiology. Plasmodium species exhibit significant genetic plasticity, enabling rapid adaptation to external pressures such as changes in host specificity and the evolution of treatment resistance. This chapter explores the biology of human-infecting Plasmodium species and the significant threats they pose to humanity, highlighting their complex interactions with hosts and vectors.
Part of the book: Breaking the Cycle of Malaria
