Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte: Stage V mature gametocyte, showing characteristic sausage- (or banana) shaped morphology

Here is another image (blood film, wet mount, x1000 magnification under oil immersion) :

This image courtesy of Dr Andrew Taylor-Robinson, University of Leeds, UK © Dr Andrew Taylor-Robinson

You may read more about Plasmodia and malaria here

 

  • P. falciparum gametocytes
     

    Differentiate into male and female sexual forms in human red cells

    Differentiate into male and female sexual found in mosquitoes

    Are produced in hepatocytes

    When released, cause malarial paroxysms

    Navigate to the brain and causes encephalitis.
 

 

  Return to the Parasitology Laboratory