Monkey Malaria in a European Traveler Returning from Malaysia

Abstract

In 2007, a Finnish traveler was infected in Peninsular Malaysia with Plasmodium knowlesi, a parasite that usually causes malaria in monkeys. P. knowlesi has established itself as the fifth Plasmodium species that can cause human malaria. The disease is potentially life-threatening in humans; clinicians and laboratory personnel should become more aware of this pathogen in travelers.

Keywords

• Plasmodium knowlesi
• malaria
• monkey diseases
• parasitology
• PCR
• emerging