Species Identification

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Plasmodium falciparum

Summary

• Small and fine ring forms, may have accolé (edge) forms or multiple parasites per cell
• Maurer's dots and clefts are seen in late trophozoites
• The irregular and "tatty" schizonts very rarely seen in blood unless severe infection
• Characteristic elongated (often curved) 'banana' gametocytes may be seen

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  Early trophozoite

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  Late trophozoite

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  Schizont (rare)

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  Gametocyte

Click for detailed description

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Plasmodium vivax

File:AltPVETc.jpg

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File:PVcombi.jpg

Brief summary

• Large and robust rings that become amoeboid during later development
• Red cells become increasingly enlarged and distorted as parasites mature
• Schüffner's dots are visible in appropriately stained thin blood films
• All forms tend to circulate with large schizont and gametocyte forms present

For more information

• click for full description of P.vivax moprhology
• click to visit the gallery of P.vivax forms

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Plasmodium ovale

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Brief summary

• rings are large and robust, with ring appearance often retained in late trophozoite stage
• Red cells are enlarged often with oval shape and may have characteristic fimbriation
• Schüffner's (James) dots seen in appropriately stained samples
• All forms tend to circulate, parasites are large but tend to be smaller than for P.vivax

For more information

• click for full description of P.ovale morphology
• click to visit the gallery of P.ovale forms

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Plasmodium malariae

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Brief summary

• Small rings (less delicate than P.falciparum) and becoming elongated or solid as parasites mature
• Red cells often small remaining a round shape and with no added dots unless heavily stained
• All forms tend to circulate, characteristically look for "daisy" schizonts and small round gametocytes
• Parasite number is often low

For more information

• click for full description of P.malariae morphology
• click to visit the gallery of P.malariae forms

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Plasmodium knowlesi

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  Early trophozoite

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  Late trophozoite

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  Schizont

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  Gametocyte

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Brief Summary

• Very limited geographical distribution within S.E Asia
• Small fine ring forms resemble those of P.falciparum and may have high parasite count
• Later rings are more solid or elongated similar to P.malariae, although faint dots may be present
• Schizonts & gametocytes are often present and may resemble P.malariae but are less "neat"
• Characteristically red cell size is unaffected, although distortion may be seen

For more information

• click for full description of P.knowlesis morphology
• click to visit the gallery of P.knowlesi forms

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