Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Infectious-Malaria*


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› Microscopic Features:

• Infects RBCs
• Round to oval ring-shaped intracellular parasite in RBCs
• Usually <2 micrometer in young Trophozoites
• Later stage Trophozoites may be as big as a RBC (4-8 micrometer)
• Schizonts & Gametocytes may be even larger than RBCs (5-10 micrometer)
• Gametocyte forms are banana shaped and usually associated with falciparum species

› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:

• PB: None
• BM: None
• LN: None

› May Resemble:

• Babesia infection [Compare]
• Platelet overlying red blood cell
• Howell-Jolly body [Compare]
• Pappenheimer bodies [Compare]
• Bacterial contamination [Compare]
• Artifacts (e.g. Stain precipitate)

› Differential Diagnoses:

Babesia Platelet overlying a RBC (pseudo-parasite)

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


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› Misc:

• Predominantly as an Intracellular parasite (infects RBCs) The Extracellular banana-shaped Gametocyte is usually associated with the falciparum species (clinically very significant)