Plasmodium - ț̢
A genus of coccidian protozoa that comprise the malaria parasites of mammals. Four species infect humans (although occasional infections with primate malarias may occur). These are PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM; PLASMODIUM MALARIAE; PLASMODIUM OVALE, and PLASMODIUM VIVAX. Species causing infection in vertebrates other than man include: PLASMODIUM BERGHEI; PLASMODIUM CHABAUDI; P. vinckei, and PLASMODIUM YOELII in rodents; P. brasilianum, PLASMODIUM CYNOMOLGI; and PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI in monkeys; and PLASMODIUM GALLINACEUM in chickens.
Synonyms :
Plasmodium berghei - ț̢
A protozoan parasite of rodents transmitted by the mosquito Anopheles dureni.
Synonyms :
Plasmodium chabaudi - ț̢
A protozoan parasite of rodents transmitted by the mosquito Anopheles stephensi.
Synonyms :
Plasmodium cynomolgi - ț̢
A protozoan parasite that occurs naturally in the macaque. It is similar to PLASMODIUM VIVAX and produces a type of malaria similar to vivax malaria (MALARIA, VIVAX). This species has been found to give rise to both natural and experimental human infections.
Synonyms :
Plasmodium falciparum - ț̢
A species of protozoa that is the causal agent of falciparum malaria (MALARIA, FALCIPARUM). It is most prevalent in the tropics and subtropics.