Plasmodium: The Parasite Behind Malaria - Symptoms & Species

The correct answer is Plasmodium.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by *Plasmodium* parasites. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are five different species of *Plasmodium* that can cause malaria in humans: *Plasmodium falciparum*, *Plasmodium vivax*, *Plasmodium malariae*, *Plasmodium ovale*, and *Plasmodium knowlesi*.

The most common and deadly form of malaria is caused by *Plasmodium falciparum*. Symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, sweats, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, malaria can cause kidney failure, liver failure, coma, and death.