The emerging and the spread of the fifth Plasmodium responsible of human malaria: Plasmodium knowlesi

Abstract

The beginning of the third millennium has been characterized by the emerging and progressive characterization of a novel malaria Plasmodium pathogen of simian origin (Plasmodium knowlesi), which now represents the fifth human malaria parasite. Evolutionary, environmental, and diagnostic-clinical features are briefly outlined on the ground of the most recent literature evidences.