SummaryAt the very earliest point of growth, the malarial parasites may be difficult to distinguish from other early trophozoites. However, in this species trophozoites begin to aquire characteristic features of the species - becoming larger and acquiring thisckened and more irregular features. At the same time the red cells begin to enlarge and become less regular; typical Schuffner's dots appear in the red cell cytoplasm.
Very early 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 Irregular parasite, possibly a double chromatin dot
