Plasmodium knowlesi: The emerging zoonotic malaria parasite

► Plasmodium knowlesi was fully recognized as a new species in 1932. ► The first natural human infection was observed in 1965. ► In 2004, Balbir Singh and co-workers identified a large human focus of knowlesi malaria in Malaysian Borneo. ► The definite diagnosis of this infection can only be achieved through molecular methods. ► Plasmodium knowlesi malaria is observed across the Southeast Asia and can be life-threatening.