Published on Feb 3, 2021
Microbiology
16. Plasmodium knowlesi
- Primarily a zoonosis—natural host is the primate Macaque monkey.
- Endemic in South east Asia (Malaysia, Borneo, Philippines, Myanmar); but is ABSENT in Africa.
- Transmitted by bite of Anopheles mosquito.
- Affects adults mainly.
- Asexual cycle of parasite in humans is 24 hours—hence called “quotidian” malaria.
- Malaria is non-relapsing.
- Treatment: Chloroquine and Primaquine.