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Plasmodium vivax
Pathology:
- P. ovale & P. vivax infect primarily younger erythrocytes.
- P. ovale & P. vivax differ from P. falciparum & P. malariae in that relapses may occur weeks to months following subsistence of previous attacks as a result of renewed schizogony from latent hepatic sporozoites (hypnozoites)
Genetics:
- individuals that do not produce the Duffy antigen (FY(A-B-)) are more resistant to vivax malaria
Laboratory:
- Plasmodium identified in blood by light microscopy (peripheral blood smear)
a) erythrocytes are enlarged in size (1.5-2 X)
b) basophilic stippling seen with all forms, except early ring forms
c) all stages may be seen in peripheral blood
d) trophozoites appear ameboid
e) 12-24 merozoites, average 16
- Plasmodium vivax antigen in blood
- Plasmodium vivax serology
- Plasmodium vivax DNA
Related
malaria
General
Plasmodium
Properties
KINGDOM: animal
PHYLUM: protozoa
References
- Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods,
19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1260-64
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed.
Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 1180-89