Plasmodium vivax

Plas·mo·di·um vi·vax

a protozoan species that is the most common malarial parasite of humans (except in West Africa, where the form of the Duffy antigen [FyFy] protects most of the resident populations, which has permitted Plasmodium ovale to replace Plasmodium vivax); the early trophozoite is irregular and ameboid in shape, one quarter to one third the size of an erythrocyte, and contains several fine granules; the schizont is irregular in shape, fills the enlarged erythrocyte, and contains numerous yellow-brown pigment granules; affected erythrocytes are pale, enlarged, and contain Schüffner dots in the later stages of growth; characteristically causes bouts of fever fairly regularly at 48-hour intervals, but multiple infection, causing irregular fever patterns, is common. Synonym(s): tertian parasite

Plas·mo·di·um vi·vax

(plaz-mō'dē-ŭm vī'vaks) A protozoal species that is the most common malarial parasite of human beings (except in West Africa); affected red blood cells are pale and enlarged and contain Schüffner dots in the later stages of growth; causes bouts of fever fairly regularly, at 48-hour intervals; multiple infection is common.