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Plasmodium ovale: Morphology: Difference between revisions

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The later growth stage during which parasites grow considerably and lose their ring appearance, this process is accompanied by substantial modification of the red cell and metabolism of it's haemoglobin to form malaria pigment.  
During this growth stage parasites grows but generally retain a ring shape, this process is accompanied by further modification of the red cell with ovoid and fimbriated features more common; metabolism of haemoglobin causes malaria pigment to form.  
   
   
*infected erythrocytes become significantly enlarged and irregular in shape
*Parasites become larger and thickened, but the ring form is generally retained
*parasites lose their ring appearnace becoming irregular and "[[amoeboid]]" in form
*Red cell enlargement is seen and distortion causing ovoid and fimbriated forms
*numerous red/purple Schüffner's dots are predent in the cytoplasm of red cells
*James’ dots will now be prominent in appropriately stained specimens
*[[malaria pigment]] is often present and has an irregular distribution
*Pigment will now be seen over the surface of the parasite





Revision as of 20:14, 4 May 2024


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The early trophozoite



  • Large and robust-appearing rings, not generally multiply infected
  • Red cells may become enlarged, and may be ovoid or fimbriated apearance
  • James' dots (indistinguishable from Schuffner’s dots) often appear
  • Pigment will not generally be present at the early trophozoite stage





The late trophozoite




During this growth stage parasites grows but generally retain a ring shape, this process is accompanied by further modification of the red cell with ovoid and fimbriated features more common; metabolism of haemoglobin causes malaria pigment to form.

  • Parasites become larger and thickened, but the ring form is generally retained
  • Red cell enlargement is seen and distortion causing ovoid and fimbriated forms
  • James’ dots will now be prominent in appropriately stained specimens
  • Pigment will now be seen over the surface of the parasite




The schizont



The asexual stage of malaria parasite development - only some trophozoites form schizonts, but those that do undergo successive cycles of replication within the red cell to generate multiple "merozoites" that then each invade a new red cell to continue and increase the infection.

  • a range of maturing schizonts will generally be present within enlarged red cells
  • when mature schizonts may contain 16-24 separate merozoites
  • Schüffner's dots can be detected in any residual cytoplasm of the erythrocyte
  • malaria pigment is visible in irregularly distributed clumps over the schizont surface




The gametocyte

The gametocyte




The sexual replication form (very distinctive).

  • red cells are very large and have ovoid or distorted forms
  • macrogametocytes (female form) will often entirely fill the erythrocyte
  • microgametocytes (male form) have a cytoplasmic rim with visible Schüffner's dots
  • malaria pigment is clumped evenly over the surface of the gametocyte