Plasmodium knowlesi

Plasmodium knowlesi (pronounced: plaz-MOH-dee-um no-LEH-see) is a parasite species that causes malaria in humans and other primates. The name "Plasmodium" comes from the Greek words "plasma" meaning something formed or molded, and "eidos" meaning form or shape. "Knowlesi" is named after the researcher who first identified it, Knowles.

Etymology

The genus name Plasmodium was coined in 1885 by the Italian scientists Ettore Marchiafava and Angelo Celli. It is derived from the Greek words "plasma" (πλάσμα), meaning "mold" or "form", and "eidos" (εἶδος), meaning "shape" or "likeness". The species name knowlesi is in honor of Robert Knowles, who first identified this parasite in a long-tailed macaque in 1931.

Description

Plasmodium knowlesi is a protozoan parasite, one of the species of Plasmodium that can cause malaria in primates. It is primarily found in Southeast Asia and is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.

Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms of Plasmodium knowlesi infection are similar to those of other forms of malaria and can include fever, chills, sweats, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment typically involves antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine or artemisinin.

Related Terms

• Malaria
• Parasite
• Protozoan
• Anopheles
• Chloroquine
• Artemisinin

See Also

• Plasmodium falciparum
• Plasmodium vivax
• Plasmodium malariae
• Plasmodium ovale

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Plasmodium knowlesi
• Wikipedia's article - Plasmodium knowlesi

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