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[Plasmodium falciparum] [Plasmodium knowlesi] [Plasmodium malariae] [Plasmodium ovale] [Plasmodium vivax]

Gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum are crescent- or sausage-shaped, and are usually about 1.5 times the diameter of an RBC in length.  The cytoplasm of the macrogametocytes (female) are usually a darker, deeper blue; the cytoplasm of the microgametocytes (male) is usually more pale.  The red chromatin and pigment is more coarse and concentrated in the macrogametocytes than the microgametocytes.  Sometimes in thin blood smears, the remnants of the host RBC can be seen; this is often referred to as a "Lavernan's bib".

A	B

A: Gametocyte of P. falciparum in a thin blood smear.  Also seen in this image are ring-form trophozoites and an RBC exhibiting basophilic stippling (upper left).
B: Gametocyte of P. falciparum in a thin blood smear.  Also seen in this image are ring-form trophozoites exhibiting Maurer's clefts.

C	D

C, D: Gametocytes of P. falciparum in thin blood smears.  In these specimens, Lavernan's bibs can be seen.

E	F

E: Gametocyte of P. falciparum in a thin blood smear, showing Lavernan's bib.  Also seen in this image are ring-form trophozoites exhibiting Maurer's clefts.
F: Gametocytes of P. falciparum in thin blood smears.  The gametocyte in the upper right is undergoing exflagellation, a process that normally occurs in the mid-gut of the mosquito host.  However, it may be observed in human blood specimens when there is a delay in processing the blood.