Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal
Infectious-Malaria
›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
- Platelet overlying red blood cell
- Howell-Jolly body
- Pappenheimer bodies
- Bacterial contamination
- Artifacts (e.g. Stain precipitate)
›Differential Diagnoses:
Babesia
Platelet overlying a RBC (pseudo-parasite)
Platelet overlying a RBC (pseudo-parasite)
›Classic Immunophenotype:
- N/A
›Cartoon Image:
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for direct comparison
›Misc:
Predominantly as an Intracellular parasite (infects RBCs)
The Extracellular banana-shaped Gametocyte is usually associated with the falciparum species (clinically very significant)
The Extracellular banana-shaped Gametocyte is usually associated with the falciparum species (clinically very significant)