| What are Schüffner's dots?
Schüffner's dots (seen in P.vivax) and James' dots (seen in P.oale) are morphologically indistinguishable and often the dots in both species are called "Schüffner's dots". They are however very diffrent from the Maurer's dots and clefts of P.falciparum. Like all parasite structures these dots are formed progressively during trophozoite development, initially appearing as very faint dots before becoming much more intense as the parasites become more mature. Different intensities of cytoplasmic dots, from faint to intense during the development of P.vivax. Note that even when faint the number of dots is high (compare with the Maurer's dots and clefts of P.falciparum)
Description
These are frequent red-purple dots in the erythrocyte cytoplasm of cells infected by P.vivax (like the James' dots seen in P.ovale) that develop from early trophozoite infection as faint dots, then become more obvious in all mature forms. These represent modification of the red cell by the parasite.
Species significance
These dots are restricted to P.ovale (but are indistinguishable from the Schüffner's dots of P.vivax). Note the appearance of dots is highly dependent on correct staining pH.
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