Plasmodium lepidoptiformis

Plasmodium lepidoptiformis is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium. ^[1]

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

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Description

This species was described by Telford and Telford in 2003.

The schizonts are small 4.6 × 3.2 micrometres (range: 3 – 6 × 2.5 – 3) and produce on average 5.1 (4 – 8) merozoites. They frequently resemble a butterfly in appearance.

The gametocytes are elongate, 9.0 × 4.3 micrometres (range: 7 – 10 × 3 – 6), with average length-width product of 38.3 (range: 24 – 51) and length / width ratio of 2.2 (range: 1.3 – 3.3). They are sexually dimorphic, with the macrogametocytes being longer than microgametocytes and having a greater length-width product.

Geographical occurrence

Found in Venezuela, South America.

Clinical features and host pathology

The only known host is the lizard Kentropyx calcarata

References