Plasmodium knowlesi and Wuchereria bancrofti: Their Vectors and Challenges for the Future

Indra Vythilingam

doi:10.3389/fphys.2012.00115

Abstract

Malaria and filariasis still continue to pose public health problems in developing countries of the tropics. Although plans are in progress for the elimination of both these parasitic vector borne diseases, we are now faced with a daunting challenge as we have a fifth species, Plasmodium knowlesi a simian malaria parasite affecting humans. Similarly in peninsular Malaysia, filariasis was mainly due to Brugia malayi. However, we now see cases of Wuchereria bancrofti in immigrant workers coming into the country. In order to successfully eliminate both these diseases we need to know the vectors involved and introduce appropriate control measures to prevent the diseases occurring in the future. As for knowlesi malaria it is still uncertain if human to human transmission through mosquito bites is occurring. However, P. knowlesi in human is not a rare occurrence anymore and has all the characteristics of a pathogen spreading due to changes in the ecosystem, international travel, and cross border migration. This has created a more complex situation. In order to overcome these challenges we need to revamp our control measures. This paper reviews the vectors of malaria and filariasis in Southeast Asia with special emphasis on P. knowlesi and W. bancrofti in Malaysia and their control strategies.

Highlights

Malaria and filariasis are the two most important mosquito borne parasitic diseases on a global scale
This paper reviews the vectors of malaria and filariasis in Southeast Asia with special emphasis on P. knowlesi and W. bancrofti in Malaysia and their control strategies
The first case of P. knowlesi in human was reported in an American surveyor who contracted the disease in the jungles of Pahang in peninsular Malaysia in 1965 (Chin et al, 1965) and subsequently the second suspected case of P. knowlesi was reported from Johore (Fong et al, 1971)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Malaria and filariasis are the two most important mosquito borne parasitic diseases on a global scale. In most areas in peninsular Malaysia, knowlesi malaria is occurring in malaria free areas This could be due to two reasons: people have lost their immunity and secondly it is not possible to treat the animal host and a pool of parasites is always available for transmission to human host as long as the suitable Anopheles vector is present. The migrant workers live both in the urban and rural areas such as plantations and since vectors are present, the dissemination of the parasite to the local population is possible This is of concern in Thailand where it has been reported that the prevalence of patent W. bancrofti infection in Myanmar immigrants has prompted concern in the public health community that the potential exists for a re-emergence of Bancroftian filariasis in Thailand (Triteeraprapab et al, 2000).

France

Findings

CONCLUSION