Plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans

The organisms that cause malaria in humans are single-celled protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The most significant and deadly species is *Plasmodium falciparum*, but *P. vivax*, *P. malariae*, *P. ovale*, and more recently *P. knowlesi* also infect humans. Transmission occurs via the bite of infected *Anopheles* mosquitoes, which inject sporozoites into the host; these enter liver cells, undergo a developmental cycle, then infect red blood cells, leading to the disease manifestations. Severe malaria, mostly from *P. falciparum*, can result in complications like cerebral malaria, severe anemia, multi-organ failure, especially in children and pregnant women[2][4][7][8].

Other names

Malaria parasitesHuman malaria Plasmodium speciesPlasmodium spp.

Inhibition of heme detoxification (e.g., chloroquine) Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport (atovaquone) Generation of free radicals, damaging parasite proteins (artemisinins) Interference with parasite DNA replication or mitochondrial function (primaquine, tafenoquine)