A new study has revealed that Malaria initially began as a parasite in birds and later evolved to colonize bats. From there it evolved to affect other mammals.
Nearly 500 million people get affected with malaria every year. But, the life threatening disease do not just affect humans. Different malaria parasite species can infect bats, birds and even other mammals, according to the recent study. However, humans cant directly contract malaria from bats or birds.
Cornell University New York, doctoral candidate and lead author, Holly Lutz said, "We can't begin to understand how malaria spread to humans until we understand its evolutionary history."
"In learning about its past, we may be better able to understand the effects it has on us," Lutz added.
The study results were published in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. The researchers of the study collected blood samples from hundreds of bats, birds and mammals of East Africa. Their blood were screened for parasite.
Upon finding malaria, DNA samples of the parasite. Sequencing the DNA helped them identify mutations in the genetic code. Lutz then conducted "phylogenetic analyses" and determined that different malaria species are related. The researchers analysed the genetic codes of several malarial parasites to determine the spot where DNA differed from one species to the other. Powerful computing software was used by the scientists to determine the evolution of different species and their relation to each other.
This phylogenetic analysis was conducted on several large size DNA samples from several host species of birds and bats.
According to Lutz, "There's still more to discover, but this is the most complete analysis of its kind for malaria to date."
As per the analysis, malaria has roots in birds hosts and later spread to bats and mammals.
Bruce Patterson, co-author of the study, said, “Having a better understanding of its evolutionary history could help scientists anticipate its futur.,"
- Sumana
