Abstract
From which host did the most malignant human malaria come: birds, primates, or rodents? When did the transfer occur? Over the last half century, these have been some of the questions up for debate about the origin of Plasmodium falciparum, the most common and deadliest human malaria parasite, which is responsible for at least one million deaths every year. Recent findings bring elements in favor of a transfer from great apes, but are these evidences really solid? What are the grey areas that remain to be clarified? Here, we examine in depth these new elements and discuss how they modify our perception of the origin and evolution of P. falciparum. We also discuss the perspectives these new discoveries open.
Highlights
In the genus Plasmodium, four species are traditionally regarded as human parasites: Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum
Molecular phylogenetic studies on the genus Plasmodium showed that P. falciparum clustered with two avian parasites rather than with those infecting mammals, suggesting that P. falciparum was the result of a transfer from birds to humans [2,3]
In January 2010, Prugnolle and colleagues [22] published a paper in which, using new non-invasive methods based on the use of great apes fecal samples, they described the diversity of Plasmodium species that circulate in wild West African chimpanzees and for the first time, in gorillas
Summary
In the genus Plasmodium, four species are traditionally regarded as human parasites: Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum. The known diversity of Plasmodium species infecting great apes and belonging to the P. falciparum lineage has burst.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
