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

Plasmodium falciparum: Schizonts

P. falciparum schizonts

Figs. 19-25: Increasingly mature schizonts; Fig. 26: Ruptured schizont.
Illustrations from: Coatney GR, Collins WE, Warren M, Contacos PG. The Primate Malarias. Bethesda: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; 1971.

Smears from patients:

Schizonts are seldom seen in peripheral blood.  Mature schizonts have 8 to 24 small merozoites; dark pigment, clumped in one mass.

P. falciparum schizonts - thin smear P. falciparum schizonts - thin smear
A B

A: Immature schizont in thin blood smears.
B: Mature schizont.

P. falciparum schizonts - thin smear P. falciparum schizonts - thin smear
C D

C, D: Ruptured schizonts in a thin blood smear.
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