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[Plasmodium falciparum] [Plasmodium malariae] [Plasmodium ovale] [Plasmodium vivax]

Plasmodium ovale: Ring Stage Parasites

Smears from patients:

Plasmodium ovale rings have sturdy cytoplasm and large chromatin dots.  Red blood cells (RBCs) are normal to slightly enlarged (1 1/4 ×), may be round to oval, and are sometimes fimbriated.  Schüffner's dots are visible under optimal conditions.

A	B

A, B: P. ovale rings in thin blood smears.  A shows fimbriation of the infected RBC.  B shows Schüffner's dots.

C	D

C, D: Rings of P. ovale in thick blood smears.