Which type of pathogen is responsible for causing malaria?

Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium. The primary species responsible for human malaria infections include Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. These parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once in the bloodstream, the protozoan invades red blood cells, leading to the symptoms associated with malaria, such as fever, chills, and anemia.

Protozoans are unicellular eukaryotic organisms that can live as parasites in humans and other hosts, which is critical for the life cycle of the malaria-causing Plasmodium. Understanding that malaria is caused by a protozoan highlights the complexity of infectious diseases and the specific type of pathogen involved in their transmission and pathology. This also differentiates malaria from diseases caused by other pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, which have different structures, life cycles, and methods of transmission.