Thin film features

Trophozoites

• RBC normal size

• Many cells infected

• RBC with >1 parasite (multiple infections), more common in falciparum

• Headphone dots: double chromatin dots

• Acale forms

• Maurer's clefts/dots (as parasite becoming more mature): diagnostic of Pf.

Schizonts

• Schizonts get stuck/sequested in the capillaries

• Less commonly seen in the circulation in Pf.

• 18-20 merozoites (nucleus)

Gametocyte

• In the RBC, stretches out (crescent/banana shaped)