Current status of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors: a public health concern?

• Published in: Parasitology Vol. 145; no. 1; pp. 32 - 40
• Main Authors: VYTHILINGAM, I., WONG, M. L., WAN-YUSSOF, W. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Animals; Anopheles - parasitology; Anopheles - physiology; Aquatic insects; Asia, Southeastern; Culicidae; Deforestation; Farms; Land use; Malaria; Malaria - transmission; Medicine; Mosquito Vectors - parasitology; Mosquito Vectors - physiology; Mosquitoes; Parasites; Parasitology; Plasmodium knowlesi; Plasmodium knowlesi - physiology; Public Health; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Special Issue Review; Tropical diseases; Vector-borne diseases; Vectors; Southeast Asia; Asia-Pacific region; Selangor Malaysia; Philippines; China; Malaysia; Thailand; Laos; Malaya; Indonesia; India; Plasmodium knowlesi; vectors; forest; Anopheles; malaria; zoonosis
• ISSN: 0031-1820; 1469-8161
• DOI: 10.1017/S0031182016000901

Plasmodium knowlesi a simian malaria parasite is currently affecting humans in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has reported the most number of cases and P. knowlesi is the predominant species occurring in humans. The vectors of P. knowlesi belong to the Leucosphyrus group of Anopheles mosquitoes. These are generally described as forest-dwelling mosquitoes. With deforestation and changes in land-use, some species have become predominant in farms and villages. However, knowledge on the distribution of these vectors in the country is sparse. From a public health point of view it is important to know the vectors, so that risk factors towards knowlesi malaria can be identified and control measures instituted where possible. Here, we review what is known about the knowlesi malaria vectors and ascertain the gaps in knowledge, so that future studies could concentrate on this paucity of data in-order to address this zoonotic problem.