About this Research Topic
Malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Despite all efforts for malaria control around the world, it remains an important public health concern, with 247 million cases and 619 000 deaths registered in 2021 (WHO, 2022). It is believed that approximately 250 Plasmodium parasites parasitize different animal species, including birds, reptiles and mammals. Of these, 27 Plasmodium species have been documented to infect a wide variety of non-human primates (NHP) around the world, including New and Old-World Monkeys, apes and gibbons. The non-human primate malaria parasites could potentially be a new challenge to malaria elimination in humans in many parts of the world. Human natural infection with P. brazilianum and P. simium have been documented in South America, while P. knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, and P. inui have been reported in Southeast Asia.
Advances in molecular techniques have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the existence and geographical distribution of numerous Plasmodium species infecting NHP. The epidemiological surveys of Plasmodium infections in monkeys are of paramount importance to assess the risk of human exposure to zoonotic malaria and identify the reservoir hosts. Studies of the malaria parasites infecting NHP have increased our understanding of the evolutionary history, biology, and pathogenesis of human Plasmodium parasites.
This research topic considers the major discoveries concerning recent discoveries, developments, and challenges regarding malaria infection in non-human primates (NHP). Studies and perspectives of all species of NHP malaria parasites will be considered for this collection. This call targets articles covering (but not limited to):
1. Epidemiological and Immunological surveys of Plasmodium infections in NHP;
2- Novel methods for diagnosing NHP malaria parasites;
3- Genomics approaches toward understanding malaria parasite biology, systematics, and Plasmodium population dynamics in NHP;
4- Reports of transmission dynamics and control interventions; 5-Vectors involved in the transmission of simian malaria.
Original research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews articles in the primate malaria field are welcome.
Advances in molecular techniques have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the existence and geographical distribution of numerous Plasmodium species infecting NHP. The epidemiological surveys of Plasmodium infections in monkeys are of paramount importance to assess the risk of human exposure to zoonotic malaria and identify the reservoir hosts. Studies of the malaria parasites infecting NHP have increased our understanding of the evolutionary history, biology, and pathogenesis of human Plasmodium parasites.
This research topic considers the major discoveries concerning recent discoveries, developments, and challenges regarding malaria infection in non-human primates (NHP). Studies and perspectives of all species of NHP malaria parasites will be considered for this collection. This call targets articles covering (but not limited to):
1. Epidemiological and Immunological surveys of Plasmodium infections in NHP;
2- Novel methods for diagnosing NHP malaria parasites;
3- Genomics approaches toward understanding malaria parasite biology, systematics, and Plasmodium population dynamics in NHP;
4- Reports of transmission dynamics and control interventions; 5-Vectors involved in the transmission of simian malaria.
Original research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews articles in the primate malaria field are welcome.
Keywords: malaria, plasmodium, non-human primates, zoonotic malaria
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
