Paper I
Question
Identification of plasmodium falciparum in the peripheral smear include
- Schizont forms
- Small thin ring forms of the parasite inside the RBC
- Banana shaped gametocytes
- Multiple ring forms in a single RBC a) 1, 2 and 3 are correct b) 2, 3 and 4 are correct c) 1, 3 and 4 are correct d) 1, 2 and 4 are correct
Answer
For general reference: peripheral smear features suggestive of P. falciparum include only ring-form (early trophozoite) stages and gametocytes typically visible (other stages sequestered in deep capillaries), multiple ring forms per infected red cell, delicate/small rings with double chromatin dots, appliqué/accolé forms (rings at the red cell margin), and characteristic banana/crescent-shaped gametocytes — with no enlargement of the infected red cell (unlike P. vivax).