Plasmodium uluguruense
Plasmodium uluguruense is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
Like all Plasmodium species P. uluguruense has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles.
| Plasmodium uluguruense | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Protista |
| Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Class: | Aconoidasida |
| Order: | Haemosporida |
| Family: | Plasmodiidae |
| Genus: | Plasmodium |
| Species: | P. uluguruense |
| Binomial name | |
| Plasmodium uluguruense | |
Description
The parasite was first described by Telford in 1984.[1]
Young schizonts are elongate with blunt ends and become oval or round following the second nuclear division. Mature schizonts are smaller than the host cell nuclei, produce 4-12 merozoites and are usually arranged as a fan.
Immature gametocytes like young schizonts are elongate with blunt ends. Mature gametocytes are usually oval and approximate the host cell nuclei in size. Their pigment granules concentrated in a single focus.
Geographical occurrence
This species is found in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.
Clinical features and host pathology
This species infects the lizard Hemidactylus platycephalus.
References
- ↑ Telford, Jr S.R. (1984) Studies on African saurian malarias: Three Plasmodium species from gekkonid hosts J. Parasitol. 70 (3) 343-354