title: Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria in humans and macaques, Thailand.
abstract: Naturally acquired human infections with Plasmodium knowlesi are endemic to Southeast Asia. To determine the prevalence of P. knowlesi malaria in malaria-endemic areas of Thailand, we analyzed genetic characteristics of P. knowlesi circulating among naturally infected macaques and humans. This study in 2008-2009 and retrospective analysis of malaria species in human blood samples obtained in 1996 from 1 of these areas showed that P. knowlesi accounted for 0.67% and 0.48% of human malaria cases, respectively, indicating that this simian parasite is not a newly emergent human pathogen in Thailand. Sequence analysis of the complete merozoite surface protein 1 gene of P. knowlesi from 10 human and 5 macaque blood samples showed considerable genetic diversity among isolates. The sequence from 1 patient was identical with that from a pig-tailed macaque living in the same locality, suggesting cross-transmission of P. knowlesi from naturally infected macaques to humans.
authors: Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. jongwutiwes@gmail.com
authors: Somchai
authors: S
authors: Jongwutiwes
authors: Pattakorn
authors: P
authors: Buppan
authors: Rattiporn
authors: R
authors: Kosuvin
authors: Sunee
authors: S
authors: Seethamchai
authors: Urassaya
authors: U
authors: Pattanawong
authors: Jeeraphat
authors: J
authors: Sirichaisinthop
authors: Chaturong
authors: C
authors: Putaporntip
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008251:Macaca / Q000469:parasitology*; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D010802:Phylogeny; D016790:Plasmodium knowlesi / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020066:Merozoite Surface Protein 1