Parasites of Plasmodium malariae are typically compact heavily pigmented parasites which are usually smaller and more deeply stained than normal. They tend to parasitise small red cells, do not contain any inclusion dots and the parasitaemia is usually low.

 Trophozoites

Trophozoites are found as fairy large fleshy rings with a single chromatin dot. These can be very distorted and can often take the form of bands accross the cell. All trophozoites have a single chromatin dot and contain pigment.

Trophozoites of Plasmodium malariae showing pigment.

A trophozoite of Plasmodium malariae exhibiting the band form

 Gametocytes

Gametocytes contain large amounts of black pigment, with chromatin present as a compact mass in females and diffuse in males. They occupy less than two thirds of the red cell.

Gametocytes of Plasmodium malariae

 Schizonts

Schizonts are usually few in number with 6 - 12 large merozoites in a single ring. Pigment is usually present as a central black mass. The parasites present are generally only found at one stage of schizogony development .