Two Nonrecombining Sympatric Forms of the Human Malaria Parasite <i>Plasmodium ovale</i> Occur Globally

Abstract

We propose that P. ovale comprises 2 nonrecombining species that are sympatric in Africa and Asia. We speculate on possible scenarios that could have led to this speciation. Furthermore, the relatively high frequency of imported cases of symptomatic P. ovale infection in the United Kingdom suggests that the morbidity caused by ovale malaria has been underestimated.