Plasmodium diminutivum

"Plasmodium diminutivum" is a parasite of the genus "Plasmodium" subgenus "Carinamoeba".

Like all "Plasmodium" species "P. diminutivum" has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.

Taxobox
color = khaki
name = "Plasmodium achiotense"
image_caption =


image_width =
regnum = Protista
phylum = Apicomplexa
classis = Aconoidasida
ordo = Haemosporida
familia = Plasmodiidae
genus = "Plasmodium"
species = "P. diminutivum"
binomial = "Plasmodium diminutivum"

Description

This species was described by Telford in 1973. S. R. Telford, Jr. ( 1973) Malaria parasites of the “Borriguerro” lizard, "Ameiva ameiva" (Sauria: Teiidae) in Panama. J. Protozol. 20(2) 203-207 ]

The parasites have no apparent effect on the host erythrocyte and tend to lie in a polar or lateral position within the host cell. This species appears to infect only mature cells.

The schizonts are initially round to oval but as they mature become fan shaped with a pigment mass forming the handle of the fan. Mature schizonts measure 4.1 +/- 0.2 (range: 3-4) micrometres x 3.1 +/- 0.1 (range: (3-4) micrometres and contain 4-6 merozoites.

Mature gametocytes are round to oval and measure 5.6 +/- 0.2 (range: 5-7) micrometres x 4.8 +/- 0.2 (range: 4-6) micrometres. Vacuoles are rarely seen.

Geographical occurrence

This species occurs in Panama.

Clinical features and host pathology

The only known host is the lizard "Ameiva ameiva".

References