Macroµgametocytes Index
From MalariaETC
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| Macrogametocytes and microgametocytes
The sexual form of the malarial parasite has either male (microgametocytes) or female form (macrogametocytes). Although biologically very important, these differences have little diagnostic significance but are certainly present on blood films, and are interesting and informative to observe. P.falciparum These parasites have noticible differences in size: first the length of the parasite in comparison to red cell size; second the effects of the red cell membrane restricting parasite development: the macrogametocyte (left) is restricted and curved by the red cell membrane (that now appears as an empty "blister" on the side of the erythrocyte. P.vivax |
