Primate malaria of human importance.

Area of Science:

• * Tropical Medicine
• * Infectious Diseases
• * Parasitology

Background:

• * Nonhuman primate (NHP) malaria represents a growing concern for global malaria control initiatives.
• * Recent decades have brought significant advancements in understanding malaria caused by non-human malaria parasites.
• * The recognition of *Plasmodium knowlesi* as a fifth human malaria species highlights the potential risk of other zoonotic malaria parasites.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the multifaceted aspects of NHP malaria.
• * To explore factors associated with the emergence of NHP malaria.
• * To assess the potential of NHP malaria parasites to infect humans and impact control programs.

Main Methods:

• * Review of scientific literature on NHP malaria.
• * Analysis of molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing.
• * Examination of epidemiological data and risk factors.

Main Results:

• * *Plasmodium knowlesi* has transitioned from an experimental pathogen to a significant cause of human malaria.
• * Advanced molecular tools have been pivotal in understanding the epidemiology and clinical significance of *P. knowlesi*.
• * Other NHP malaria species like *Plasmodium cynomolgi*, *Plasmodium simium*, and *Plasmodium inui* are under scrutiny for zoonotic potential.

Conclusions:

• * NHP malaria poses a significant and emerging threat to human health and global malaria eradication efforts.
• * Understanding the factors driving the emergence of NHP malaria is critical for effective control.
• * Continued research and surveillance, aided by molecular diagnostics, are essential to mitigate the risk of zoonotic malaria transmission.