Plasmodium kentropyxi
Plasmodium kentropyxi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.
Taxonomy
The parasite was first described by Lainson et al. in 2001.Description
Young asexual stages are initially polar in the erythrocyte but with maturation, move to a lateral position. The larger meronts may slightly enlarge the erythrocyte but most asexual stages do not. Conspicuous greenish-black pigment granules are located in a distinct vacuole.The largest schizonts contain 30-40 nuclei.
The gametocytes are at first polar in the erythrocyte but gradually move to a lateral position. They eventually assume a smooth, curved cylindrical shape with evenly rounded ends. Pigment is scattered or concentrated around a conspicuous vacuole which is slowly developed as the gametocytes mature. The mature gametocytes occasionally enlarge the erythrocyte.
Mature male parasites measured 11.8 x 4.0 micrometres and females 13.5 x 4.5 micrometres.