Plasmodium cynomolgi is a species of protozoan parasite that causes malaria in macaque monkeys. Its name is derived from the Greek word "plasma" which means "something molded" and the Latin word "modium" which refers to a unit of measure. The species name, "cynomolgi" is a combination of the Greek words "kynos" meaning "dog" and "molgos" meaning "wage." The entire species name is pronounced as /plæzˈmoʊdiəm saɪˈnɒmɔːldʒi/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Plasmodium cynomolgi is a species of parasitic protozoan belonging to the genus Plasmodium, which causes malaria in non-human primates. It is closely related to Plasmodium vivax, the primary cause of malaria in humans outside of Africa.
Plasmodium cynomolgi is transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito species, primarily Anopheles leucosphyrus. Once the mosquito injects the parasite into the bloodstream of the host primate, the infecting sporozoites travel to the liver where they undergo asexual replication within hepatocytes. This leads to the release of merozoites, which invade and multiply within red blood cells (erythrocytes).
The infection caused by Plasmodium cynomolgi presents similar clinical symptoms to other malaria infections, including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. In non-human primates, the severity of the disease can vary, ranging from mild to fatal outcomes depending on the immune response and the species of the host.
While Plasmodium cynomolgi primarily affects primates, including macaques and gibbons, there have been reports of zoonotic transmission to humans. It is therefore considered a potential threat to human health, especially in areas where human populations are in close proximity to infected primates.
Research on Plasmodium cynomolgi is essential for understanding the pathology, transmission dynamics, and potential interactions with human malaria parasites. It serves as an important model organism in the study of malaria, aiding researchers in the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for both human and non-human primate infections.
The etymology of the term "Plasmodium cynomolgi" can be broken down as follows:
1. Plasmodium: This term comes from the Greek word "plasma", meaning "a thing formed or molded". In the context of biology, the term refers to a genus of parasitic protozoans that belong to the phylum Apicomplexa. Plasmodium species are known to cause various diseases, including malaria.
2. Cynomolgi: This term is derived from two parts - "cyno" and "molgi".
- The prefix "cyno" comes from the Greek word "kunos", which means "dog". In taxonomy, the term is often used to indicate a relation or association with dogs or canines.