[MALARIAL PARASITES IN BLOOD]. Malaria parasite can be seen in blood smear of patients affected by the disease at specific stages in the disease. Both thick and thin blood smears are prepared. The thick smears allow detection whereas the thin smears allow identification of the specie. This thin smear shows multiple malaria trophozoites inside red blood cells. However, trophozoites can also be seen outside red blood cells.
[MALARIAL PARASITES IN BLOOD]. Another image showing multiple red blood cells with malaria trophozoites in them. Malaria can be caused by any one or more of the Plasmodium species, including P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale, and P. malariae. The trophozoites of all four species look similar but not the same on thin smear. Red blood cells affected by different organisms may show slightly different morphologies. This smear shows red cells with normal size and shape containing only trophozoites. P. falciparum shows trophozoites and gametocytes in blood smears.
[MALARIAL PARASITES IN BLOOD]. The identification of specie is accomplished using an optimal thin smear stained with Wright/Giemsa stain. Not only is the morphology of the organism examined, but also the morphology of the red cells hosting the organisms for proper identification. This case of P. falciparum shows ring trophozoite forms inside red blood cells. Note normal size and shape of red blood cells. The trophozoites show a single prominent chromatin dot in the ring. Each red cell contains only a single trophozoite.
[MALARIAL PARASITES IN BLOOD]. Note the presence of two chromatin dots in each trophozoite inside red blood cells. Note also the two trophozoites in another red blood cell. The presence of two chromatin dots and two trophozoites is a feature of P. falciparum.