Species Identification
From haematologyetc.co.uk
Plasmodium falciparum
Brief Summary
- Small and fine ring forms may have accole’ forms or multiple parastes/cell
- Maurer's dots and clefts are seen in late trophozoites
- Schizonts very rarely seen in blood unless severe infection
- Characteristic elongated (often curved) 'banana' gametocyes may be seen
- For more information
- click for full description of P.falciparum mophology
- click to visit the gallery of P.falciparum forms
Plasmodium vivax
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.falciparum mophology
- click to visit the gallery of P.falciparum forms
Plasmodium ovale
Brief summary
- Large robust rings often retained in late trophozoite stage
- Red cells enlarged with oval shape and characteristic fimbriation
- Schüffner's dots seen in well stained samples
- All forms tend to circulate, parasites large but smaller than for P.vivax
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Plasmodium malariae
Brief summary
- Small rings (less delicate than P.falciparum); becoming elongated or solid
- Red cells often small remaining round with no added dots
- All forms tend to circulate, characteristic "daisy" schizonts and small round gametocytes
- Parasite number is often low
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Plasmodium knowlesi
Brief Summary
- Very limited geographical distribution
- Small fine ring forms resemble P.falciparum
- Later rings are more solid or elongated similar to P.malariae
- Faint dots (Sinton or Mulligan's stippling) appear at later stages
- Schizonts & gametocytes resemble P.malariae but are less "neat"
- Characteristically red cell size is unaffected, although distortion may be seen
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