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An unusual presentation of Plasmodium spp. in peripheral blood smear

Nahid Ansari1, Kavita Gupta1, Sumi Nandwani1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Child Health, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Tropical Parasitology
|May 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric case study highlights unusual peripheral blood smear findings in a 7-year-old boy with persistent fever and severe thrombocytopenia. The findings are crucial for diagnosing rare pediatric conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • A 7-year-old boy presented with prolonged fever and abdominal pain.
  • Initial evaluation revealed leukocytosis with a left shift and severe thrombocytopenia (35,000/µL).
  • Elevated inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) at 144.8 mg/L, were noted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report and discuss unusual microscopic findings on peripheral blood smear.
  • To correlate these findings with the clinical presentation of fever and thrombocytopenia.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic significance of peripheral blood smear examination in pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical presentation and laboratory investigations of a pediatric patient.
  • Detailed peripheral blood smear examination.
  • Correlation of microscopic findings with clinical and laboratory data.

Main Results:

  • Peripheral blood smear revealed specific, unusual microscopic findings (details to be discussed).
  • These findings were observed in the context of persistent fever and severe thrombocytopenia.
  • Leukocytosis with a left shift and anemia (Hemoglobin 9.2 g/dL) were also present.

Conclusions:

  • Peripheral blood smear examination is critical for diagnosing rare pediatric hematological conditions.
  • Unusual microscopic findings can provide crucial diagnostic clues in febrile pediatric patients with thrombocytopenia.
  • Early identification of specific morphological changes aids in timely and appropriate management.

Keywords:
Cresecent structuresGiemsa stainPlasmodium spp

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