Biology of the gametocyte

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Biology of the Gametocyte

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The sexual form of the malarial parasite has either male or female form (a higher percentage are female). Generally male gametocytes (microgametocytes) are smaller then the female form (macrogametocytes). They are effectively “dormant” in blood and only develop further when ingested by a mosquito (the temperature drop in the mosquito foregut rapidly activates them to a single female gamete or 8 male gametes (see section on re-infection of the mosquito). Morphological features and relevance Gametocytes (like schizonts) are the final mature form of parasites in the blood, consequently they have metabolised all haemoglobin in order to grow. The red cell is therefore now simply a membrane that surrounds the parasite without any red colour, and with prominent malaria pigment that represents the metabolised haem iron. The appearance of gametocytes however does vary according to species and this can aid morphological species identification (1) P.falciparum – in this species the gametocytes have a "rod" shape which may be constricted by the remaining red cell membrane to form a curved shape (often described as banana-shaped). (2) P.malariae – typically small and neat rounded forms Small "neat" and round gametocytes in P.malariae (3) P.vivax – typically very large and often irregular Very enarged irregular P.vivax gametocytes (4) P.ovale – typically sightly enlarged and may be fimbriated Enlarged forms in P.ovale with fimbriation (5) P.knowlesi – typically sightly enlarged and may be fimbriated Enlarged forms in P.ovale with fimbriation → Click for the clinical gametocyte gallery Relevance of gametocytes to clinical biology Following treatment of malaria these forms may persist (depending on the nature of the treatment) particularly in the first week but sometimes up to 28 days (unlike the asexual forms that generally disappear more rapidly).