Plasmodium malariae malaria is a form of human malaria caused by the protozoan parasite P. malariae, marked clinically by paroxysms recurring at roughly 72-hour (quartan) intervals [2][1].
Disease overview
ParasiticPlasmodium malariae malaria
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Evidence-backed informationEN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Plasmodium malariae malaria is a parasitic infection caused by P. malariae, one of the Plasmodium species responsible for human malaria, and is characterized by recurrent febrile paroxysms at approximately 72-hour intervals [1]. The illness is generally milder than that caused by P. falciparum, but chronic or repeated infections can lead to complications such as nephrotic syndrome and severe anemia [2][3]. It is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes and occurs mainly in malaria-endemic settings, often with a longer incubation period than other Plasmodium species [2][1].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile6
Infection may cause fever, chills, headache, malaise, nausea, anemia, and jaundice, with symptoms arising from asexual blood-stage parasite replication and associated inflammatory responses [2]. Chronic or repeated P. malariae infection can result in nephrotic syndrome, and severe complications, though rare, may include severe anemia, pulmonary complications, and renal impairment [2][3]. A systematic review estimated the pooled prevalence of severe P. malariae infection at approximately 3%, with severe anemia (around 3%) being the most frequently reported severe manifestation [3].
P. malariae malaria occurs principally in malaria-endemic regions and represents a smaller proportion of global malaria cases than P. falciparum and P. vivax [2][3]. The incubation period tends to be longer than that of P. falciparum, although specific timeframes relative to other species vary across settings [2]. A systematic review and meta-analysis identified six studies encompassing over 10,000 P. malariae-infected patients, providing the first pooled global estimate of severe disease prevalence at 3% (95% CI 2–5%) [3].
Transmission occurs predominantly through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, with rare instances of blood-borne or congenital transmission also documented [2].
Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites through measures such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and personal protective strategies, combined with appropriate antimalarial prophylaxis for travelers to endemic areas [2]. When taken as prescribed, chemoprophylaxis is highly effective, though it can occasionally delay symptom onset by weeks or months after departure from endemic regions [2].
- 1Wikidata contributors. Quartan fever [Internet]. Wikidata. cited 3 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18554742
- 2US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Features of Malaria | Malaria | CDC [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/hcp/clinical-features/index.html
- 3Kotepui M et al. Global prevalence and mortality of severe Plasmodium malariae infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Malar J. 2020 Jul 31. PMID: 32736635. doi: 10.1186/s12936-020-03344-z.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32736635/
- B52
- 1F40
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