1. 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

2. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots
‘ameboid’ trophozoite
many merozoites in mature segmenter

8. Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots
‘ameboid’ trophozoite
many merozoites in mature segmenter

9. 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

10. Plasmodium vivax enlarged erythrocyte Schüffner’s dots
‘ameboid’ trophozoite
many merozoites in mature segmenter

11. Plasmodium ovale similar to P. vivax enlarged erythrocyte
Schüffner’s dots
subtle differences
‘compact’ trophozoite
fewer merozoites
elongated erythrocyte

12. Plasmodium malariae compact trophozoite 'band' form
8-10 merozoites in mature schizont
‘rosette’

13. Plasmodium malariae compact trophozoite 'band' form
8-10 merozoites in mature schizont
‘rosette’

14. Plasmodium malariae compact trophozoite 'band' form
8-10 merozoites in mature schizont
‘rosette’