SummaryAt the very earliest point of growth, the malarial parasites may be difficult to distinguish from other early trophozoites. However, in this species a range of maturing forms are generally present and later forms begin to aquire characteristic features of the species - the trophozoites become larger and acquire thisckened and more irregular features. At the same time the red cells begin to enlarge and become less regular with the appearance of typical Schuffner's dots in the red cell cytoplasm.
Very early form A very early ring form that is quite robust with fine dots just visible
Early ring form Dots are now more visible and the red cell begins to show fimbriation.
Early ring form The ring has thickened and in an edge form, but with dots and fimbriation
Intermediate ring Irregular parasite, possibly a double chromatin dot