Malaria is caused by a parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium , most importantly species such as Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in humans.

Pathogen in one line

  • The specific pathogen that causes malaria is the Plasmodium parasite, a single‑celled eukaryotic protozoan that infects human liver and red blood cells.

Main human Plasmodium species

  • Key species that cause malaria in humans include P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale (two subspecies), and P. knowlesi.
  • Among these, P. falciparum is the deadliest and most common in Africa, while P. vivax predominates in many regions outside sub‑Saharan Africa.

Vector vs pathogen

  • The pathogen is the Plasmodium parasite; the mosquito is not the pathogen but the vector that transmits it to humans, mainly infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • During a bite, the mosquito injects Plasmodium stages into the bloodstream, starting the infection cycle that leads to malaria symptoms.

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