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types became zoonotic independently in the erythrocyte lysis and release of free merozoites.
two regions. Severity in malaria is multifactorial in nature,
while the genetic factor of the parasite is an
important contributing factor.
IMPLICATION OF P. KNOWLESI GENETIC
DICHOTOMY ON DISEASE SEVERITY
Professor Fong postulated that enhanced
Plasmodium knowlesi is now the major cause virulence and multiplication of the parasite
of human malaria in Malaysia. The cases are the result of genetic polymorphisms that
in Malaysian Borneo have a higher rate of increase THE invasion ability of the parasites
severe (up to 39%) and fatal infections (up to into human erythrocytes. His team now
27%), which are not commonly observed in continues to investigate P. knowlesi erythrocyte-
Peninsular Malaysia. Clinical symptoms of invasion genes, in the quest for genetic
malaria are primarily attributed to the blood- evidence that the Malaysian Borneo P. knowlesi
stage of the parasite life cycle, which results has evolved into a more virulent form of this
from repeated rounds of erythrocyte invasion, intriguing parasite.

Professor Fong and his research team at the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine.

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