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 double dot form Very early red cell changes with fine dots visible
Early ring form Dots are more visible and the red cell begins to show distortion.
Early ring form The ring has thickened with established dots and altered red cell size
Intermediate ring Irregulat parasite, an enlarged distorted red cell and marked dots