Malaria parasites belong to the genus Plasmodium. In humans, malaria is caused by five different species of the parasite. These are P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. knowlesi. Among these, P. falciparum is the most common one (~75%) followed by P. vivax (~20%)][1].
Malaria in India is mainly caused by P.falciparum and P.vivax although cases of malaria from P.ovale and P.malariae are also reported in some parts of the country. P. vivax is more prevalent in the plains whereas P. falciparum predominates in forested and peripheral areas.