Geographic Distribution and Diagnosis of Plasmodium malariae

Global Context and Diagnostic Challenges

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends contacting the CDC Malaria Hotline for detailed epidemiological data specific to a location of interest, providing current incidence rates and transmission patterns for specific geographic areas 1
• Plasmodium malariae occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions where malaria is endemic, including Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania 1, 2
• The World Health Organization recognizes P. malariae as one of four human malaria parasites alongside P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. ovale 2, 3