Malaria Self Test Module
Recently returned from overseas.
Click on one of the following:
Plasmodium falciparum?
Sorry! Have another look.
Even though one red cell contains more than one parasite, the infected red
cells are macrocytic. Note the parasites are in the developing (amoeboid) stage, a rarity in
P. falciparum. Did you see the malarial pigment (haemozoin) inside the neutrophil cytoplasm?
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Plasmodium vivax?
Correct! Good work.
You probably observed that the red cells are enlarged and that the parasites
are at the developing stage. Did you notice that there were two parasites
inside one red cell (not so common in P. vivax) and the malarial pigment
(haemozoin) inside the neutrophil cytoplasm?
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Plasmodium ovale?
Sorry! A good try, but incorrect.
You correctly noted that the infected red cells are enlarged and that the parasites
are at the developing stage. Without specific travel history it can be difficult, but
with no obvious comet like red cells, P. ovale would not be the best "guess".
Have another look.
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Plasmodium malariae?
Sorry! Have another look.
The infected red cells are enlarged and there are a number of
developing forms with no obvious band forms.
Try again.
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Malarial parasites not seen?
Sorry!
There are a number of parasites in this field; even two inside one red cell.
Try again and take particular note of the size of the infected red
cells, and the amoeboid shape of the parasites.
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