training module for medical officers primary health centre - NVBDCP

Plate 1: Plasmodium falciparum thin filma, b: Trophozoites are small, with thin ring of cytoplasm, a vacuole and prominent chromatin dotc: Red cells with double chromatin dots is a frequent feature.d: Parasites at margin of red cells referred to as accole or appliqué formsf, h: Multiple invasion of erythrocytes is a frequent featuref, g: Sometimes marginal forms displaced markedly with parasite extending beyond cell marginI, j: Mature schizonts are compact containing 16 to 24 merozoitesK, l: Gametocytes, initially spindle-shapedm-o: Develop into banana- or sausage-shaped bodies with rounded ends.m-n: chromatin concentrated as a masso: pigment tends to be more scatteredp: occasionally, gametocytes assume bizarre shapesGametocytes are only usually seen in peripheral blood smear in P. falciparum infections.Trophozoites and schizonts are seen only when infection is severe with high parasitaemia.28