Malaria is caused by protozoan parasite
of the genus Plasmodium (phylum, Apicomplexa). In humans it is caused by P. falciparum, P malariae, P. ovale, P.
vivax and P .knowlesi (Mueller et al., 2007 and Singh et al., 2004). P. falciparum is the most common cause of infection and is
responsible for about 80% of all the malaria cases and about 90% of the deaths
from the disease (Mendis et al.,
2001).
Parasitic Plasmodium
species also infect birds, reptiles, monkeys chimpanzees and rodents (Escalante
and Ayala, 1994). There have been documented human infections with several
Simian malaria species namely P.knowlesi, P. inui, P. cynomolgi, P.
simiovale, P. brazillinum, P. schetzi and P. simium (Garnham, 1996). However,
with the exception of P. knowlesi, these are mostly of limited
public health importance.
Although avian malaria can kill chickens and turkeys,
it does not cause serious economic losses to poultry farmers. Ever since it was accidentally introduced by
humans it has decimated the endemic birds of Hawaii which lack resistance to it (Atkison et al., 1995).
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Pathogenesis of Malaria Parasite Infection
The Impact of Malaria
General Distribution of Malaria
The Transmission of Malaria Parasite
The Plasmodium Life Cycle
Aetiology of Malaria Infection
Historical Perspective of Malaria
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO MALARIA IN NIGERIA (AFRICA)
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