Malaria causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites. Malaria is commonly associated with poverty, but is also a cause of poverty and a major hindrance to economic development.
Causes
Malaria Parasites
Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium (phylum Apicomplexa). In humans malaria is caused by P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax. P. vivax is the most common cause of infection, responsible for about 80 % of all malaria cases. However, P. falciparum is the most important cause of disease, and responsible for about 15% of infections and 90% of deaths.[1] Parasitic Plasmodium species also infect birds, reptiles, monkeys, chimpanzees and rodents.[2] There have been documented human infections with several simian species of malaria, namely P. knowlesi, P. inui, P. cynomolgi[3], P. simiovale, P. brazilianum, P. schwetzi and P. simium; however these are mostly of limited public health importance. Although avian malaria can kill chickens and turkeys, this disease does not cause serious economic losses to poultry farmers.[4] However, since being accidentally introduced by humans it has decimated the endemic birds of Hawaii, which evolved in its absence and lack any resistance to it.[5]
References
- ↑ Mendis K, Sina B, Marchesini P, Carter R (2001). "The neglected burden of Plasmodium vivax malaria" (PDF). Am J Trop Med Hyg. 64 (1-2 Suppl): 97–106. PMID 11425182.
- ↑ Escalante A, Ayala F (1994). "Phylogeny of the malarial genus Plasmodium, derived from rRNA gene sequences". Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 91 (24): 11373–7. PMID 7972067.
- ↑ Garnham, PCC (1966). Malaria parasites and other haemosporidia. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Unknown parameter
|Location=ignored (|location=suggested) (help) - ↑ Investing in Animal Health Research to Alleviate Poverty. International Livestock Research Institute. Permin A. and Madsen M. (2001) Appendix 2: review on disease occurrence and impact (smallholder poultry). Accessed 29 Oct 2006
- ↑ Atkinson CT, Woods KL, Dusek RJ, Sileo LS, Iko WM (1995). "Wildlife disease and conservation in Hawaii: pathogenicity of avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) in experimentally infected iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea)". Parasitology. 111 Suppl: S59–69. PMID 8632925.