The distinctive features of Indian malaria parasites

Trends Parasitol. 2015 Mar;31(3):83-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.01.006.

Abstract

Malaria and factors driving malaria are heterogeneous in India, unlike in other countries, and the epidemiology of malaria therefore is considered 'highly complex'. This complexity is primarily attributed to several unique features of the malaria parasites, mosquito vectors, malaria-susceptible populations, and ecoclimatic variables in India. Recent research on the genetic epidemiology of Indian malaria parasites has been successful in partly unraveling the mysteries underlying these complexities.

Keywords: India; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; genetic epidemiology; malaria.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Climate
  • Culicidae / parasitology
  • Culicidae / physiology
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Insect Vectors / physiology
  • Malaria / epidemiology*
  • Malaria / parasitology
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / physiology*
  • Plasmodium vivax / genetics
  • Plasmodium vivax / physiology*
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • PfCRT protein, Plasmodium falciparum
  • Protozoan Proteins