
Case #382 - October 2014
A 39-year-old immigrant from Panama sought medical evaluation for mild intermittent fevers. A blood specimen was collected and thick and thin blood smears made and stained with Giemsa to confirm a presumed diagnosis of malaria. No Plasmodium species parasite stages were observed on the blood smears, however Figures A-D show what was observed in low numbers on a thick smear at 500x magnification with oil; inset images at 1000x magnification with oil. The size range of the objects was 180-190 micrometers in length. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D
Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.
DPDx is an education resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention and control visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.
- Page last reviewed: August 24, 2016
- Page last updated: August 24, 2016
- Content source:
- Global Health – Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria
- Notice: Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by HHS, CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.
- Maintained By: