I  agree  with you that  is why PCR is needed

yes, it is true the PCR can differentiate better but there must have been some differences we have seen before taking the samples for the PCR to prevent putting thesame species for the PCR.

Dear Olabiyi Kazeem Olajide 

Mind you blood film for malaria is not an easy task  

Please  check  parasite atlas where these are obvious 

ok, thanks

Fimbriated margins of the host cell i.e. erythrocytes is the very characteristic feature for P. ovale

If you see what Anil referred to (the appearance of parasitized erythrocytes), that is very helpful for diagnosing P. ovale infections. Bear in mind that P. ovale is not always the only species of Plasmodium present in the patient, although often (if not usually) it is.

Thank  you very much  Miles B Markus for this good point.

Perhaps we have no  good experience with P. ovale infections as it is rare in our setting

Key Morphological Differences Between Human Plasmodium Species in Blood Smears

falciparum vivax ovale malariae

numerous rings

smaller rings

no trophozoites or schizonts

cresent-shaped gametocytes

enlarged erythrocyte

Schüffner's dots

'ameboid' trophozoite

similar to P. vivax

compact trophozoite

fewer merozoites in schizont

elongated erythrocyte

compact parasite

merozoites in rosette

FIRST: P.ovale

ovale

• similar to P. vivax

• compact trophozoite

• fewer merozoites in schizont

• elongated erythrocyte

SECOND: P. vivaz

vivax

• enlarged erythrocyte

• Schüffner's dots

• 'ameboid' trophozoite

There seems to be more P. vivax in parts of Africa than previously suspected. It is thought that some cases have been misidentified as P. ovale infection.

Dear Miles B Markus

I think  most of these reports used PCR  for confirmation 

There are some similarties and some differences 1.The gametocyte  are both simila .2.The RBC's in the P Ovale are enlarged and fimbriated and has James dots while in the P Vivax the RBC's are more larger and has Shuffiners dots.3.The P Ovale has a compact cytoplasm and red zone while the P Vivax has Amoeboid cytoplasm.4. The Pigments in the P Ovale are scattered and dark brown while in the P Vivx the pigments are also scattered and golden brown.

I hope this will  help you sort pout your problem.

Dear  Simon Correa 

Unfortunately gametocytes  can  not be seen  in most of the slides as it the case of the trophozoites 

Information concerning what I said in my previous posting (re P. vivax in Africa) can be found at:

http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0004222

Dear  Miles B Markus 

Thank  you very much  for valuable link

Kindly look at the attached paper.

Kindly look at the CDC guideline ( attached ) .