Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Platelet-mediated Clumping of Plasmodium falciparum-infected Erythrocytes in a Resource Poor Setting
Published on: May 16, 2013
[Size changes of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium malariae in thin peripheral blood smears]
1Changsha Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China.
Objective:
To explore the size changes of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium malariae, so as to improve the basic-level experimenters' microscopy capabilities for P. malariae identification in thin blood smears.
Methods:
The microscopic features of erythrocytes infected with P. malariae in thin peripheral blood smears were observed, and a microscope image processing software was used to measure and analyze the diameter changes of the erythrocytes infected with P. malariae.
Results:
The diameter of erythrocytes infected with P. malariae decreased significantly compared with that of the normal erythrocytes. The three parameters in this study: the diameter of erythrocytes, the value of diameter variation, and the ratio of diameter variation varied at different developmental stages of P. malariae, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The variances of the three parameters grouped by different cases or different developmental stages in different cases were analyzed, all showing statistically significant differences (all P< 0.01).
Conclusions:
All the developmental stages of P. malariae will cause the decrease of the diameters of infected erythrocytes in peripheral blood smears, but the influence on the diameter of erythrocytes, value of diameter variation, and ratio of diameter variation varies at different developmental stages in different cases.
Related Concept Videos
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups....
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Structure and Function of Erythrocytes
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
Cell Size
Surface Area
Cells can take in nutrients and water via diffusion through the plasma membrane itself or through specific channels in the membrane. The area of the membrane surrounding...
Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture
Gram Stain
The Gram Stain is an integral part of sputum studies. It involves the staining of sputum, which permits...
Brick Sizes
Modular bricks are the most common type and are sized to include the mortar joint, which is essential for...

