Although the current overall incidence of P. knowlesi infection in humans is low, an exacerbating problem is that it can be consistently misdiagnosed by microscopy as the more benign human malaria, P. malariae (1, 2, 8, 9 ).
When assessing the potential of Pv as a cause of human genetic adaptation, it is important to remember that previous characterization of Pv as a "benign" human malaria parasite are based upon data collected from adults receiving malaria therapy [38], and may have little relevance to vivax malarial disease experienced in children.
Long considered "benign," the malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax threatens billions while eluding control measures.
It has since become customary to record any benign tertian malaria parasites originating from these regions as P. ovale.
The number of SERA genes in the clustered region varies among parasite species, from two in P. gallinaceum to 12 in P. vivax, the benign human malaria parasite.
Contrary to its common name "benign tertian malaria", P. vivax is also associated with severe pathology [ 3].
To the Editor: Benign tertian malaria, caused by Plasmodium vivax, has long been considered absent, or at least extremely rare, in western and central Africa.
Fortunately, after a long time being neglected under the contemptible designation of benign infection, vivax malaria has gained increasing attention in recent years.
Regarded at one time as a benign infection, vivax malaria is now recognized as a major cause of morbidity and an important contributor to mortality.
Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae cause a more benign form of human malaria and are responsible for only a small percentage of global infections.
