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Plasmodium ovale: Morphology: Difference between revisions

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<span style="font-size:90%">The earliest growth stage, this is characterised by fine ring forms with few other changes to red cell or parasite.</font>
<span style="font-size:90%">During this growth stage parasites grows but generally retain a ring shape, this process is accompanied by further modification of the red cell with ovoid and fimbriated features more common; metabolism of haemoglobin causes malaria pigment to form.</span>
 
*<span style="font-size:90%">[[Ring forms]] are fine and delicate and may be the sole form present ([[Synchronous parasite development|synchronicity]])
*<span style="font-size:90%">Parasites become larger and thickened, but the ring form is generally retained
*<span style="font-size:90%">Frequently the red cells contain [[multiple parasites]]  
*<span style="font-size:90%">[[Red cell enlargement]] is seen and distortion causing ovoid and [[fimbriated]] forms
*<span style="font-size:90%">Parasites may have a distinctive [[Double chromatin dot forms|"double dot"]] or signet ring form
*<span style="font-size:90%">[[James’ dots]] will now be prominent in appropriately stained specimens
*<span style="font-size:90%">Parasites may appear on the [[Accolé form|accolé forms]] that appear flattened against the cell membrane
*<span style="font-size:90%">[[Pigment]] will now be seen over the surface of the parasite
*<span style="font-size:90%">Affected red cells have normal size and haemoglobin content
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Revision as of 20:18, 13 December 2024

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Morphology of Plasmodium ovale
(See Malaria Biology pages for an explanation of these stages)



The early trophozoite


During this growth stage parasites grows but generally retain a ring shape, this process is accompanied by further modification of the red cell with ovoid and fimbriated features more common; metabolism of haemoglobin causes malaria pigment to form.

  • Parasites become larger and thickened, but the ring form is generally retained
  • Red cell enlargement is seen and distortion causing ovoid and fimbriated forms
  • James’ dots will now be prominent in appropriately stained specimens
  • Pigment will now be seen over the surface of the parasite





The late trophozoite


The later growth stage of trophozoites where parasites modification of the erythrocyte is seen with characteristic added dots and possible minor changes to red cell form:





The schizont


The schizont is the asexual form of the malaria parasite that will circulate in blood in most species, but is an uncommon feature in P.falciparum:

  • Do not generally circulate in this species consider causes
  • The merozoites cluster "untidily" but may be numerous (8-16+ when mature)
  • In this species the loose pigment may be seen in clumps between the parasites
  • Red cell size is generally unaffected but red cells become pale as haemoglobin is metabolised by the parasites





The gametocyte



The sexual replication in P.falciparum is very distinctive and may be the only form visible (particularly of after treatment).

  • male and femaie gametocytes have the appearance of rods although these may be distorted
  • The rod shapes may become curved by the red cell membrane to give the characteristic "banana" form
  • The residual membrane (empty of haemoglobin) is often seen as a "blister" to one or both sides of the parasite
  • The single chromatin area is in the centre of the parasite, often has pigment overlying it