Malaria 609 



that of the microgametocyte, usually pale blue or lavender (Wright's 

 stain). The golden-brown pigment of the microgametocyte is usually 

 arranged rather loosely around or near the nucleus. The darker and 

 sometimes greenish-black pigment of the macrogametocyte usually forms 

 a compact aggregate partly or completely surrounding the nucleus. When 

 the gametocytes appear in the peripheral blood, the ring stages usually 



Fig. 13. 4. Plasynodium malariae, semidiaqrammatic: A. Young ring. B-G. 

 Stages in growth. H-K. Binucleate and multinucleate schizonts. L. Mero- 

 zoites. M. Macrogametocyte. N. Microgametocyte. 



decrease in number and it is not uncommon to find gametocytes as al- 

 most the only stages in blood smears. Mature gametocytes are believed to 

 live for only a few days in the blood (114). In some patients gametocytes 

 may disappear completely after a tune, and new ones are seen only after a 

 few more cycles of merogony (19). 



Erythrocytic phase in P. malariae (Fig. 13. 4). This species differs from 

 P. vivax and P. falciparum in its longer asexual cycle and in the smaller 

 number of merozoites (usually 6-12) produced in merogony. The young 



