Plasmodium loveridgei

Plasmodium loveridgei is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

Like all Plasmodium species P. loveridgei has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.

Plasmodium loveridgei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Protista
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemosporida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Species: P. loveridgei
Binomial name
Plasmodium loveridgei

Description

The parasite was first described by Telford in 1984.[1]

Young schizonts elongate and narrow with acuminate ends. Mature schizonts are polymorphic, are usually larger than host cell nuclei, and give rise to 6-26 merozoites.

Immature gametocytes like young schizonts are elongate and narrow, with acuminate ends. Mature gametocytes are elongate averaging 3 times the host cell nucleus size and have dispersed pigment.

Geographical occurrence

This species is found in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.

Clinical features and host pathology

This species infects the lizard Lygodactylus picturatus.

References

  1. Telford, Jr S.R. (1984) Studies on African saurian malarias: Three Plasmodium species from gekkonid hosts J. Parasitol. 70 (3) 343-354


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