Malaria Diagnosis symptoms: fever, chills, headache, malaise, etc. history of being in endemic area splenomegaly and anemia as disease progresses microscopic demonstration of parasite in blood smear (distinguish species) thick film: more sensitive thin film: species identification easier repeat smears every 12 hours for 48 hours if negative antigen detection ‘dipstick’ ParaSight-F, OptiMal, etc
Differences Between Species blood-stage morphology minor life cycle variations hypnozoite stage (vivax, ovale) sequestration (falciparum) host erythrocyte preference immature erythrocytes (vivax, ovale) senescent (malariae) no preference (falciparum) disease and clinical manifestations Additional Species? P. simiovale (~ P. vivax) P. malariae variants
Plasmodium falciparum numerous rings without mature forms slightly smaller marginal forms trophozoites and schizonts not normally in peripheral circulation severe disease compact parasite crescent-shaped gametocytes
Plasmodium falciparum numerous rings without mature forms slightly smaller marginal forms trophozoites and schizonts not normally in peripheral circulation severe disease compact parasite crescent-shaped gametocytes
Plasmodium falciparum numerous rings without mature forms slightly smaller marginal forms trophozoites and schizonts not normally in peripheral circulation severe disease compact parasite crescent-shaped gametocytes
Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots ‘ameboid’ trophozoite many merozoites in mature segmenter
Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots ‘ameboid’ trophozoite many merozoites in mature segmenter
Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots ‘ameboid’ trophozoite many merozoites in mature segmenter Schüffner’s dots due to caveola-vesicle complexes on erythrocyte surface
Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots ‘ameboid’ trophozoite many merozoites in mature segmenter
Plasmodium ovale similar to P. vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots subtle differences ‘compact’ trophozoite fewer merozoites elongated erythrocyte
Plasmodium malariae compact trophozoite 'band' form 8-10 merozoites in mature schizont ‘rosette’
Plasmodium malariae compact trophozoite 'band' form 8-10 merozoites in mature schizont ‘rosette’
Plasmodium malariae compact trophozoite 'band' form 8-10 merozoites in mature schizont ‘rosette’