A review of Plasmodium knowlesi among Macaques in Malaysia

Abstract

Plasmodium knowlesi is a malarial parasite which is found in macaques (long-tailed and pig-tailed). Since 2004, humans infection with malaria holds a key focus throughout Southeast Asia and in Malaysia specifically. P. knowlesi is one of the major five species of Plasmodium which can cause malaria in humans. Identification of different species of Plasmodium can only be confirmed with molecular detection techniques. Researches provided ample evidence of human infections with P. knowlesi and concluded it zoonotic in nature. P. knowlesi infections may lead to a variety of diseases and can be fatal if not treated in time. This review is focused on the occurrence of P. knowlesi among macaques in Malaysia.