Plasmodium vivax exflagellated microgametes in human peripheral blood: a potential diagnostic dilemma

New Microbiol. 2019 Oct;42(4):231-233. Epub 2019 Aug 16.

Abstract

Both malaria and relapsing fever Borrelia are infectious diseases characterized by fever, headache, myalgia, hepatosplenomegaly and tendency to relapse. Exflagellation of microgametocyte in malarial parasites is seen only in the definitive host, i.e., mosquitoes. Here we report an unusual case of a 23-year-old man who presented Plasmodium vivax infection with multiple exflagellated microgametes in the peripheral blood smear.

Keywords: Borrelia; Plasmodium vivax; exflagellation; malaria; microgametes; microgametocyte.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Malaria, Vivax* / blood
  • Malaria, Vivax* / diagnosis
  • Malaria, Vivax* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Plasmodium vivax* / growth & development
  • Recurrence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chloroquine