Malaria.

An encyclopedia entry about malaria is presented. Malaria refers to a pyrogenic disease that is caused by a Plasmodium infection. The Plasmodium species identified to cause malaria are vivax, ovale, malariae and falciparum. Malaria can be acquired from an infective bite of Anopheles mosquito or from infected blood products. Only female Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit human malarial parasites. The entry also discusses the history, epidemiology and treatment of malaria.