What is Plasmodium falciparum?
{{italictitle}} {{Taxobox | name = ''Plasmodium falciparum'' | image = Plasmodium_falciparum_01.png | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Blood smear of ''Plasmodium falciparum'' | domain = [[Eukarya]] | regnum = [[Chromalveolata]] | phylum = [[Apicomplexa]] | classis = [[Aconoidasida]] | ordo = [[Haemosporida]] | familia = [[Plasmodiidae]] | genus = ''[[Plasmodium]]'' | binomial = ''Plasmodium falciparum''}} '''''Plasmodium falciparum''''' is a [[protozoa]]n [[parasite]], one of the [[species]] of ''[[Plasmodium]]'' which cause [[malaria]] in humans. It is transmitted by the female ''[[Anopheles]]'' [[mosquito]]. ''P. falciparum'' is the most dangerous of these infections as ''P. falciparum'' (or malignant) malaria has the highest rates of complications and mortality. There are about 200 [[species]] in the [[genus]] ''Plasmodium'', divided into 15 sub-genera. The parasites are partners in a complex [[co-evolution]] with [[mosquito]]s and land [[vertebrate]] species.<ref>Cox F.E.G. 2010. History of the discovery of the malaria parasites and their vectors. ''Parasites & Vectors'' '''3''':5 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2825508/]</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Parasites]] [[Category:Apicomplexa]]