Plasmodium vivax apicoplast genome: A comparative analysis of major genes from Indian field isolates

► First report on major regions of plastid genome of Plasmodium vivax. ► Plastid genome of P. vivax has 5-16% differences with that of P. falciparum. ► Functional domains of P. vivax plastid genome encoded proteins remains conserved. ► The preferred codons in P. vivax plastid genes are similar to those of primate and rodent parasites. ► Phylogenetic analysis using apicoplast genes show close association of P. vivax with primate malaria parasites.