The stained blood specimen provided was taken from a female tourist recently returned from Thailand. She reported having spent considerable amounts of time travelling in the rural areas in the north of that country. On return to Australia, she fell ill, suffering from myalgia (muscle pain), lethargy and periodic fevers. The blood sample was taken on her admission to hospital.


1) What sort of blood smear is the specimen ?

Thin film - Giemsa stained

2) What stage of the parasite is shown on the field ?

Gametocyte

3) Identify the parasite indicated on the field (Genus and species.)

Plasmodium falciparum