Malaria ancient disease: New challenges

Abstract

Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases in world affecting more than 500 million people with over 2 million deaths per year. Four species of Plasmodium cause human disease: Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax), Plasmodium malarie (P. malarie), Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) and Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). For the treatment of malaria there is a great number of drugs available, but limiting factors are: high prices, toxicity and increased resistance of parasite. For these reasons there is great need for development of new drugs, increasing control of existing and finding new admission in treatment of malaria.