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The Microscopic Diagnosis of Malaria
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Course Introduction | Overview | Plasmodium falciparum | Plasmodium vivax
Plasmodium ovale | Plasmodium malariae | Other infections | Tests
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Lesson 2 ─ Plasmodium falciparum Trophozoites, Thin Film
1. Infected erythrocytes often
• Remain normal in size
• Are distorted with crenation, pink in color and have a darkened rim • Have stippling with Maurer’s dots
2. Small ring trophozoites are about one-fifth the diameter of the infected erythrocyte.
3. Double chromatin dots are more frequent than in other species.
4. Older trophozoites have more compact cytoplasm and may contain pigment.
5. Multiple infection of erythrocytes is common.
6. Rings may adhere closely to erythrocyte membrane (sometimes called accolé or appliqué forms).
Summary of Characteristics