Plasmodiidae

Plasmodiidae is a family of parasites that cause malaria. They are part of the order Haemosporidia, which includes vector-transmitted, intraerythrocytic parasitic alveolates.

Plasmodiidae are distinguished by:

• Alternating between the blood system of vertebrates and the digestive system of mosquitoes
• Being the most studied family within the Haemosporidia
• Being part of the class Aconoidasida

The Plasmodium genus contains more than 100 species of blood parasites of vertebrates. The following species cause malaria in humans:

• Plasmodium malariae
• *P. vivax*
• *P. falciparum*
• *P. ovale*

In humans, the parasites grow and multiply first in the liver cells and then in the red cells of the blood. They destroy the red cells, releasing daughter parasites that continue the cycle by invading other red cells