title: Malaria infection and human evolution.
abstract: During the evolution of the genus Homo, with regard to the species habilis, erectus and sapiens, malaria has played a key biological role in influencing human development. The plasmodia causing malaria have evolved in two ways, in biological and phylogenetic terms: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale appear to have either coevolved with human mankind, or encountered human species during the most ancient phases of Homo evolution; on the other hand, Plasmodium falciparum has been transmitted to humans by monkeys in a more recent period, probably between the end of the Mesolithic and the beginning of the Neolithic age. The authors show both direct and indirect biomolecular evidence of malarial infection, detected in buried subjects, dating to ancient times and brought to light in the course of archaeological excavations in major Mediterranean sites. In this review of the literature the authors present scientific evidence confirming the role of malaria in affecting the evolution of populations in Mediterranean countries. The people living in several different Mediterranean regions, the cradle of western civilization, have been progressively influenced by malaria in the course of the spread of this endemic disease in recent millennia. In addition, populations affected by endemic malaria progressively developed cultural, dietary and behavioural adaptation mechanisms, which contributed to diminish the risk of disease. These habits were probably not fully conscious. Nevertheless it may be thought that both these customs and biological modifications, caused by malarial plasmodia, favoured the emergence of groups of people with greater resistance to malaria. All these factors have diminished the unfavourable demographic impact of the disease, also positively influencing the general development and growth of civilization.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabbatani
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: Sirio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fiorino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000383:Agriculture / Q000266:history; D000569:Americas / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000469:parasitology; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002648:Child; D003465:Culex / Q000469:parasitology; D004032:Diet / Q000266:history; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007303:Insect Vectors; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history* / Q000635:transmission; D009106:Mummies / Q000469:parasitology; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000469:parasitology; D055815:Young Adult