<P> Malaria parasites belong to the genus Plasmodium ( phylum Apicomplexa ) . In humans , malaria is caused by P. falciparum , P. malariae , P. ovale , P. vivax and P. knowlesi . Among those infected , P. falciparum is the most common species identified ( ~ 75 % ) followed by P. vivax ( ~ 20 % ) . Although P. falciparum traditionally accounts for the majority of deaths , recent evidence suggests that P. vivax malaria is associated with potentially life - threatening conditions about as often as with a diagnosis of P. falciparum infection . P. vivax proportionally is more common outside Africa . There have been documented human infections with several species of Plasmodium from higher apes ; however , except for P. knowlesi -- a zoonotic species that causes malaria in macaques -- these are mostly of limited public health importance . </P>
<P> Malaria parasites belong to the genus Plasmodium ( phylum Apicomplexa ) . In humans , malaria is caused by P. falciparum , P. malariae , P. ovale , P. vivax and P. knowlesi . Among those infected , P. falciparum is the most common species identified ( ~ 75 % ) followed by P. vivax ( ~ 20 % ) . Although P. falciparum traditionally accounts for the majority of deaths , recent evidence suggests that P. vivax malaria is associated with potentially life - threatening conditions about as often as with a diagnosis of P. falciparum infection . P. vivax proportionally is more common outside Africa . There have been documented human infections with several species of Plasmodium from higher apes ; however , except for P. knowlesi -- a zoonotic species that causes malaria in macaques -- these are mostly of limited public health importance . </P>
which form of malaria is both the most common and the most severe
which form of malaria is both the most common and the most severe
P. falciparum
P. falciparum