Editorial

Plasmodium knowlesi and other blood parasites The present issue is primarily focused on parasites of the blood with a special mention on Plasmodium knowlesi. Having been observed to cause natural zoonotic infections in humans since only a decade ago, P. knowlesi is currently considered the fifth species of Plasmodium causing human malaria. Knowlesi malaria is currently endemic in Malaysia and the neighboring South‑East Asian countries and the incidence is on the rise due to increasing human contact with monkeys as a consequence of deforestation. The lack of proper understanding of this new agent of human malaria has caused confusion in the diagnosis and treatment. The cumulative acumen on the various aspects of P. knowlesi since its discovery has been vividly discussed under appropriate titles as a symposium written by eminent authors. Knowledge on P. knowlesi is especially important for the medical personnel in the geographically contiguous countries where the possibility of spread of this infection is at large.

and the epidemiologists of the region. The various threats posed by kala‑azar including drug resistance and failure of vector control have been detailed in elegant individual reviews written by experts working on visceral leishmaniasis in India. This issue also presents the original research work done across the globe on parasitic infections of the blood such as malaria, leishmaniasis and filariasis. The “ethics in series” section discusses the various issues arising in sponsored clinical research and addresses them with appropriate solutions. In this issue, Dr. T. M. Mohapatra answers various questions on the important aspects of parasitic research in India in the “face to face” section. The illustrated book on identification of mosquitoes written by Jeffery et al., from Malaysia has been reviewed. We are thankful to our editorial team; expert reviewers, publishers and sponsors for successfully bring out this issue. With the trove of the information contained, we are certain that this issue will enlighten its readers.

Indian visceral leishmaniasis also known as kala‑azar is a well knownwell‑known entity for several decades. The disease causes a considerable menace to clinicians

Subhash Chandra Parija

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Senior Professor, Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India. E‑mail: [email protected]

Website: www.tropicalparasitology.org DOI:

How to cite this article: Parija SC. Plasmodium knowlesi and other blood parasites. Trop Parasitol 2014;4:1.

10.4103/2229-5070.129139

Tropical Parasitology

DOA: 20-02-2014, DOP: 20-03-2014

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Jan 2014 | Volume 4 | Issue 1 |

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Plasmodium knowlesi and other blood parasites.

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