DIFFERENTIAL

DIAGNOSIS OF
MALARIA PARASITE
P. ovale P. vivax P. malariae P. falciparum
Thick ring, 1 chromatin
dot.
Thick ring, 1 chromatin
dot.
Thick ring, 1 chromatin
dot.
Fine ring, multiple
infection. 1 to 2
small chromatin dots
Young trophozoite
Round, compact. Irregular, amoeboid. Round with central
chromatin and band
forms, pigment
distinct
Ring enlarged slightly
irregular.
Mature trophozoite
8 to 14 merozoites
arranged irregularly.
12 to 18 merozoites
arranged irregularly.
8 to 10 merozoites often
arranged as a rosette
pigment generally in
centre.
Rarely seen in peripheral
blood., 18 to 32
merozoites.
Schizont
Oval or rounded, male
diffuse chromatin.
Oval or rounded, male
diffuse chromatin.
Oval or rounded, male
diffuse chromatin.
Crescentic male reddish
with diffuse
chromatin, female
bluish with compact
chromatin.
Gametocyte
Enlarged. Enlarged. Unchanged or smaller. Unchanged. Size of red blood cell
Often irregular with
jagged edges.
Unchanged. Unchanged. Sometimes irregular and
crenated
Shape of red blood cell
YOUNG
TROPHOZOITE
P. falicparum
Fine ring, multiple infection, 1
to 2 small chromatin dots
P. malariae
Thick ring, 1 chromatin dot.
P. vivax
Thick ring, 1 chromatin dot.

P. ovale
Thick ring, 1 chromatin dot.


MATURE
TROPHOZOITE
P. falicparum
Ring enlarged, slightly irregular
P. malariae
Round with central chromatin and
band forms, pigment distinct
P. vivax
Irregular, amoeboid
P. ovale
Round, compact
SCHIZONT
P. falicparum
Rarely seen in peripheral blood,
18 to 22 merozoite
P. malariae
8 to 10 ,merozoites often
arranged as a rosette, pigment
generally in centre
P. vivax
12 to 18 merozoites arranged
irregularly
P. ovale
8 to 14 merozoites arranged
irregularly
GAMETOCYTE
P. falicparum
Crescentic, male reddish with
diffuse chromatin, female bluish
with compact chromatin
P. malariae
Oval or rounded, male diffuse
chromatin
P. vivax
Oval or rounded, male diffuse
chromatin
P. ovale
Oval or rounded, male diffuse
chromatin
SIZE OF RED CELL
P. falicparum
Unchanged
P. malariae
Unchanged or smaller
P. vivax
Enlarged
P. ovale
Enlarged
SHAPE OF RED CELL
P. falicparum
Sometimes irregular and crenated
P. malariae
Unchanged
P. vivax
Unchanged
P. ovale
Often irregular with jagged
edges