Malaria parasites are protozoa of the genus Plasmodium that cause malaria, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. After inoculation, sporozoites travel to the liver and multiply, then invade red blood cells where successive cycles of asexual replication produce the fevers, ch…
Malaria parasites are protozoa of the genus Plasmodium that cause malaria, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. After inoculation, sporozoites travel to the liver and multiply, then invade red blood cells where successive cycles of asexual replication produce the fevers, chills, and anemia characteristic of clinical disease. Several species infect humans, differing in geographic distribution, relapse potential, and severity, with the most virulent capable of fatal complications when untreated. A key pathophysiological theme is the host response: Plasmodium infection generates reactive oxygen intermediates and immunopathology, and modulating this oxidative environment has been explored as an adjunct to antimalarial drug therapy. Diagnosis combines clinical assessment with microscopy and antigen detection, while control depends on vector reduction, chemoprophylaxis, and prompt treatment. Drug resistance is a recurring obstacle that drives the search for new compounds and combination regimens. Malaria also intersects with broader public-health concerns, including the way widespread febrile illness and antibiotic use in endemic regions may influence the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and the way climate change alters transmission patterns. Studying malaria parasites unites parasitology, immunology, and epidemiology to understand the parasite life cycle, host interactions, and the strategies needed to reduce one of the major burdens of tropical medicine.
7 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 7 articles above have been cited 11 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Malaria Parasites, linking to each citing work.