PROTOZOA (Plasmodium spp)
Scientific name
Ring
Trophozoite
Schizoint
Gametocyte
Dot
Length of life cycle
Age of infected RBCs
Morphology of infected RBCs
Type of malaria
Percentage in cases
Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium vivax Plasmodium ovale Plasmodium malariae
1 or 2 small red chromatin dots; has blue
1 large red chromatin dot; has blue cytoplasm 1 large red chromatin dot 1 large red chromatin dot
cytoplasm; multiple infection
compact; rarely seen amoeboid more amoeboid; has sturdy cytoplasm has band or basket forms
8-24 merozoites; clumped 12-24 merozoites; has coarser pigments 6-14 merozoites 6-12 merozoites in a rosette pattern
banana, crescent, or sausage shaped round or oval
male (microgametocyte) – loose male (microgametocyte) – loose round or oval Round or oval
female (macrogametocyte) – compact female (macrogametocyte) – compact
Maurer’s dots Schuffner’s dots Schuffner’s and James’ dots Ziemman’s dots
48 hours 48 hours 48 hours 72 hours
old and young RBCs young RBCs or reticulocytes young RBCs or reticulocytes Old RBCs
normal distorted or enlarged Enlarged
malignant tertian malaria benign tertian malaria ovale tertian malaria quartan tertian malaria
50% 43% rare 7%
tinjavier