Evolutionary history of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium simium in the Americas

Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent human-infecting species in the Americas. However, the origins of this parasite in this continent are still debated. Similarly, it is now accepted that the existence of Plasmodium simium is explained by a P. vivax transfer from humans to monkey in America. However, many uncertainties still exist concerning the origin of the transfer and whether several transfers occurred. In this review, the most recent studies that addressed these questions using genetic and genomic approaches are presented.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the most recent studies that have addressed the origin of malaria in the Americas and the transfer of Plasmodium vivax from humans to monkeys using genetic and genomic approaches.