Distrorted erythrocyte shape
From haematologyetc.co.uk
- MDi1.jpg
- P.vivax
Description
Distortion of the erythrocyte shape is one of the modifications caused by parasite invasion. The most substantial distortion is caused by P.vivax in which the red cells become both enlarged and irregular in shape.
Species significance
Marked red cell enlargement and distortion is a feature of P.vivax infection that is very helpful to indicate this diagnosis. Distortion is also a feature of P.ovale although it is more frequently elongation and fimbriation, or of P.falciparum gametocytes, where the cells are distorted by the elongated gametocyte (see below).
Additional images
- MDi2.jpg
A
- MDi3.jpg
B
The elongated fimbriated cells of P.ovale (A), and the curved "banana" distortion of P.falciparum gametocytes (B)