Plasmodium falciparum 6 05.jpg

Taxonomy: f. Plasmodidae
Animal: Plasmodium falciparum 6 05.jpg
Sites: Blood
Comment:
Plasmodium falciparum ring forms in thick film - heavy infection. When the red cells are lysed, the parasites will be distorted so ring forms become like commas or exclamation marks. It is important to examine both thick and thin films and when the clinical indications and history of the patient are strong, that repeat blood collections be made over a 36 hour period before ruling out a malaria infection. The history of the patient especially the drug history is important for infections of P.falciparum which is usually the only species that can rapidly lead to death. Finger prick collection is preferred as P.falciparum especially accumulates in capillaries and also anticoagulant can distort the parasites. Accurate species identification is essential for correct treatment to be administered. (See parasitology textbooks such as Garcia and Bruckner 1997 for details)

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