PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI Meaning and
Definition
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Plasmodium knowlesi is a type of protozoan parasite that belongs to the genus Plasmodium, which includes other parasites responsible for causing malaria in humans. While several types of Plasmodium infect humans, P. knowlesi primarily infects macaque monkeys and some species of lemurs. However, in recent years, cases of P. knowlesi infection have been identified in humans, causing concern among health professionals due to its potential for severe disease outcomes.
P. knowlesi is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus. The parasite's life cycle involves both humans and monkeys as hosts. When infected mosquitoes feed on monkeys, the sporozoite stage of P. knowlesi is introduced into their bloodstreams. Subsequently, if an infected mosquito bites a human, the sporozoites are transmitted to the human host, invading liver cells and maturing into a stage called merozoites.
Once inside red blood cells, the merozoites multiply asexually until the red blood cells rupture, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream. This causes typical malaria symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. P. knowlesi infections can be severe, leading to complications such as organ failure and even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
Due to its ability to cause severe disease and the potential for misdiagnosis as other types of malaria, P. knowlesi has become an emerging concern in regions where both humans and monkeys are found. Accurate diagnosis using molecular methods is crucial to distinguish P. knowlesi from other Plasmodium species and provide appropriate treatment.
Common Misspellings for PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI
- olasmodium knowlesi
- llasmodium knowlesi
- -lasmodium knowlesi
- 0lasmodium knowlesi
- pkasmodium knowlesi
- ppasmodium knowlesi
- poasmodium knowlesi
- plzsmodium knowlesi
- plssmodium knowlesi
- plwsmodium knowlesi
- plqsmodium knowlesi
- plaamodium knowlesi
- plazmodium knowlesi
- plaxmodium knowlesi
- pladmodium knowlesi
- plaemodium knowlesi
- plawmodium knowlesi
- plasnodium knowlesi
- plaskodium knowlesi
- plasjodium knowlesi
Etymology of PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI
The etymology of the word "Plasmodium knowlesi" can be understood by breaking down the terms individually:
1. Plasmodium: Plasmodium is derived from the Greek word "plasma" which means "form" or "structure". In biology, it refers to a genus of parasitic protozoans that belong to the phylum Apicomplexa. Plasmodium species are responsible for causing malaria in humans and other animals.
2. Knowlesi: The word "knowlesi" is derived from the species name knowlesi. This species is named after the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), commonly referred to as "kera" in Malay language. The long-tailed macaque is implicated as the reservoir host of Plasmodium knowlesi and is found in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, where the parasite was first identified.
