Storage changes in malaria

Description

The male and female gametocytes of the malarial parasite may continue to mature in stored blood, in particular the pH change and temperature change may resemble changes normally encountered in the mosquito stomach, where the male gametocyte releases the microgametes as part of sexual replication. This process can be detected in some stored cases.

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Early trophozoites:

• MSi1.jpg

  small or normal P.malariae (round)

• MSi3.jpg

  normal sized P.falciparum (round)

• MSi5.jpg

  Normal or enlarged P.ovale (may become ovoid)

• MSi7.jpg

  generally enlarged P.vivax (may become irregular)

• Msi2.jpg

  A

• .jpg

  B

• MSi6.jpg

  C

• .jpg

  D

Images of red cell size of late trophozoites small P.malariae (A), unchanged P.falciparum (B), enlarged and elongated P.ovale (C), enlarged and irregular P.vivax (D)

Species significance

This is an artefact appearance that can confirm a malarial infection but should not be used to infer a species

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