Diagnostic Findings [Last Modified: ]
Malaria
[Plasmodium falciparum] [Plasmodium knowlesi] [Plasmodium malariae] [Plasmodium ovale] [Plasmodium vivax]
Causal Agent Life Cycle Geographic Distribution Clinical Features Laboratory Diagnosis Treatment

In developing trophozoites of P. malariae, chromatin is rounded or streaky and the cytoplasm is usually compact with no vacuole.  Pigment may be coarse and peripheral.  As the trophozoites mature, the cytoplasm may elongate across the host RBC, forming a 'band-form', or may be oval with a vacuole forming a 'basket-form'.  Chromatin is usually in a single mass, less definite in outline.  Pigment granules become larger and tend to have a more peripheral arrangement.

Plasmodium malariae trophozoites

A

A: Developing trophozoites of P. malariae.  Figs. 6-13: Increasingly mature trophozoites; Figs. 10 and 13 are "band forms."
Illustrations from: Coatney GR, Collins WE, Warren M, Contacos PG. The Primate Malarias. Bethesda: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare;  1971.

Plasmodium malariae trophozoites in thick blood smear Plasmodium malariae trophozoites in thick blood smear
B C

B, C: Trophozoites of P. malariae in thick blood smears.

Plasmodium malariae band-form trophozoites in thin blood smear Plasmodium malariae band-form trophozoites in thin blood smear
D E

D, E: Band-form trophozoites of P. malariae in a thin blood smear.

Plasmodium malariae basket-form trophozoites in thin blood smear Plasmodium malariae basket-form trophozoites in thin blood smear
F G

F, G: Basket-form trophozoites of P. malariae in a thin blood smear.

 
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