ABSTRACT
Humans are the definitive host of four plasmodial species that cause malaria: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale. The four species exhibit differences in their periodicity of paroxysms (chills, fever) because of differences in replication time in the red blood cell, preferences for different aged erythrocytes, and different geographical distributions. P. falciparum infection is the most dangerous as it can cause life-endangering complications such as cerebral malaria and severe anemia.
