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Which Plasmodium species causes the most widespread form of malaria?
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malaria
Life cycle of a malaria parasite.
The Plasmodium vivax species is responsible for the most widespread form of malaria worldwide.12
While P. vivax is the most common, it is important to distinguish it from Plasmodium falciparum, which is recognized as the deadliest and most dangerous species. Infections caused by P. falciparum are characterized by severe symptoms, including a high risk of cerebral malaria, due to the parasite's ability to infect a large proportion of red blood cells and obstruct blood flow in vital organs.12