Plasmodium diploglossi

Plasmodium diploglossi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.

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

Description

The parasite was first described by Aragio and Neiva in 1909. It is the type species of the subgenus Sauramoeba.

Pigment does not occupy a distinct vacuole but may be clumped.

The large schizonts considerably enlarge the host erythrocyte and may completely encircle the host cell nucleus.

The mature gametocytes are broad.

Like the schizonts, the gametocytes may almost encircle the host cell nucleus.

A small cytoplasmic vacuole may be present in some gametocytes.

Geographical occurrence

This species is found in eastern Panama.^[1]

Clinical features and host pathology

This species infects the anguid lizard Diploglossus fasciatus and Mabuya mabouya.

References