Is Plasmodium a Apicomplexa?

The Apicomplexa are a phylum of diverse obligate intracellular parasites including Plasmodium spp., the cause of malaria; Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum, opportunistic pathogens of immunocompromised individuals; and Eimeria spp.

Is Plasmodium a vivax protozoa?

Plasmodium vivax is a protozoal parasite and a human pathogen. This parasite is the most frequent and widely distributed cause of recurring malaria. Although it is less virulent than Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest of the five human malaria parasites, P.

Is Toxoplasma an Apicomplexa?

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which is a significant human and veterinary pathogen. Other members of the phylum Apicomplexa are also important pathogens including Plasmodium species (i.e. malaria), Eimeria species, Neospora, Babesia, Theileria and Cryptosporidium.

What kind of protozoa does malaria come from?

Malaria is caused by the protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. There are four species that infect humans: P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. falciparum. While widespread throughout the tropics, malaria has been virtually eliminated from temperate climates.

What’s the difference between Plasmodium malariae and P vivax?

Plasmodium malariae causes a chronic infection that in some cases can last a lifetime. The P. malariae parasite has several differences between it and the other Plasmodium parasites, one being that maximum parasite counts are usually low compared to those in patients infected with P. falciparum or P. vivax.

What are some diseases caused by the phylum Apicomplexa?

Some of the diseases caused by those in the phylum Apicomplexa include: 1 Malaria – Caused by Plasmodium species 2 Toxoplasmosis – Caused by Toxoplasma gondii 3 Coccidiosis – Caused by Eimeria tenella 4 Babesiosis – Caused by Babesia 5 Cyclosporiasis – Caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis

How are the Apicomplexa different from other protozoans?

Apicomplexa. The Apicomplexa comprise the bulk of what used to be called the Sporozoa, a group of parasitic protozoans, in general without flagella, cilia, or pseudopods. Most of the Apicomplexa are motile, however, by use of a gliding mechanism that uses adhesions and small static myosin motors.