Plasmodium

Genus in the order Haemosporida; protozoa that comprise the malaria parasites of mammals; four species infect humans (although occasional infections with primate malarias may occur): P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. vivax; species causing infection in vertebrates other than man include: P. berghei, P. chabaudi, P. vinckei, and P. yoelii in rodents; P. brasilianum, P. cynomolgi, and P. knowlesi in monkeys; and P. gallinaceum in chickens.

Related Terms

Apicomplexa