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

Plasmodium vivax: Ring Stage Parasites

Smears from patients:

Plasmodium vivax rings have large chromatin dots and can show amoeboid cytoplasm as they develop.  Red blood cells (RBCs) can be normal to enlarged up to 1 1/2 × and may be distorted.  Under optimal conditions, Schüffner's dots may be seen.

A	B	C

A, B, C: Rings in thin blood smears.  A and C: Rings are amoeboid and the RBCs are enlarged and distorted.  B: Ring with double chromatin dot.  Schüffner's dots can be seen in B and C.