Plasmodium heischi

"Plasmodium heischi" is a parasite of the genus "Plasmodium" subgenus "Sauramoeba".

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

Taxobox
color = khaki
name = "Plasmodium heischi"
image_caption =


image_width =
regnum = Protista
phylum = Apicomplexa
classis = Aconoidasida
ordo = Haemosporida
familia = Plasmodiidae
genus = "Plasmodium"
species = "P. heischi"
binomial = "Plasmodium heischi"

Description

The parasite was first described by Garnham and Telford in 1984. Garnham P.C. and Telford S.R. Jr. (1984) A new malaria parasite "Plasmodium (Sauramoeba) heischi" in skinks ("Mabuya striata") from Nairobi, with a brief discussion of the distribution of malaria parasites in the family "Scincidae".]

The schizonts produce up to 65 nuclei and cause host cell hypertrophy and distortion.

The gametocytes are spindle-shaped. The female gametocyte often has a subterminal nucleus.

Geographical occurrence

This species was described in Kenya, Africa.

Clinical features and host pathology

The only host for this species are the skinks "Mabuya striata".

References