It is rare to find human populations exposed to a single malaria parasite species – in most endemic areas, at least three Plasmodium species co-exist. Here, we briefly review mixed species infection in malaria, and discuss apparently disparate clinical and epidemiological observations of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, now equally prevalent in Thailand, which suggest that an ‘entente cordiale’ between these two species might be beneficial both to parasites and humans. If this were the case, the influence of changes in the parasite formula in endemic areas on the burden of malaria would become an important element of study.
Mallika Imwong, Sasithon Pukrittayakamee, Anne Charlotte Grüner, Laurent Rénia, Frank Letourneur, Sornchai Looareesuwan, Sir Nicholas White, Georges Snounou
Cindy S. Chu, Marie Stolbrink, Daniel Stolady, Makoto Saito, Candy Beau, Kan Choun, Tha Gay Wah, Ne Mu, Klay Htoo, Be Nu, Arunrot Keereevijit, Jacher Wiladpaingern, Verena I. Carrara, Aung Pyae Phyo, Khin Maung Lwin, Christine Luxemburger, Stéphane Proux, Prakaykaew Charunwatthana, Rose McGready, Sir Nicholas White, François Nosten
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