Diagnostic Characteristics of The Genus Plasmodium
- Merogony occurs both in erythrocytes and other tissues
- Merozoites, schizonts or gametocytes can be seen within erythrocytes and may displace the host nucleus
- Merozoites have a "signet-ring" appearance due to a large vacuole that forces the parasite’s nucleus to one pole
- Schizonts are round to oval inclusions that contain the deeply staining merozoites
- Forms gamonts in erythrocytes
- Gametocytes are 'halter-shaped' similar to Haemoproteus but the pigment granules are more confined
- Hemozoin is present
- Vectors are either mosquitos or sandflies
- Vertebrate hosts include mammals, birds and reptiles
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