Kingdom Protista | Order Haemosporida Rank Species | |
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Plasmodium colombiense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Contents
Like all Plasmodium species P. colombiense has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
Description
The parasite was first described by Ayala and Spain in 1976.
Geographical occurrence
This species is found in Venezuela.
Clinical features and host pathology
The only known host of this parasite is the iguanid lizard Anolis auratus.
Mature schizonts have 3 - 14 merozoites (usually 6, 8, or 10). This number may be reduced to 4 to 6 in chronic infections.
Gametocytes are round to oblong and measure 6 by 5 µm. The pigment in microgametocytes is located within a single peripheral vacuole.
Parasitemia averages 2.5% and seldom surpassed 20-30%. Infections cause significant anemia, and parasites in active infections are most common in immature erythrocytes. Host response is similar to avian or primate infections, including erythropoiesis, phagocytosis, and interference with parasite growth.