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 malariae: Schizonts

P. malariae schizonts

Increasingly mature schizonts.
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:

Plasmodium malariae schizonts have 6 to 12 merozoites with large nuclei, clustered around a mass of coarse, dark-brown pigment.  Merozoites can occasionally be arranged as a rosette pattern.  The red blood cells (RBCs) are normal to smaller than normal (3/4×) in size.

P. malariae schizont - thin smear P. malariae schizont - thin smear P. malariae schizont - thin smear
A B C

A, B, C: Schizonts of P. malariae in thin blood smears.  C has the appearance of a rosette pattern.

P. malariae schizont - thick smear
D

D: Thick blood smear showing a schizont.
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