Plasmodium kentropyxi

Plasmodium kentropyxi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Sauramoeba.

Plasmodium kentropyxi
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Diaphoretickes
Clade:	Sar
Clade:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Class:	Aconoidasida
Order:	Haemospororida
Family:	Plasmodiidae
Genus:	Plasmodium
Species:	P. kentropyxi
Binomial name
Plasmodium kentropyxi Lainson et al., 2001

Taxonomy

The parasite was first described by Lainson et al. in 2001.^[1]

Description

Young asexual stages are initially polar in the erythrocyte but with maturation, move to a lateral position. The larger meronts may slightly enlarge the erythrocyte but most asexual stages do not. Conspicuous greenish-black pigment granules are located in a distinct vacuole.

The largest schizonts contain 30-40 nuclei.

The gametocytes are at first polar in the erythrocyte but gradually move to a lateral position. They eventually assume a smooth, curved cylindrical shape with evenly rounded ends. Pigment is scattered or concentrated around a conspicuous vacuole which is slowly developed as the gametocytes mature. The mature gametocytes occasionally enlarge the erythrocyte.

Mature male parasites measured 11.8 x 4.0 micrometres (range: 9.6 x 4.2 - 13.2 x 3.6 micrometres) and females 13.5 x 4.5 micrometres (range: 12.0 x 4.5 - 15.0 x 4.8 micrometres).

Hosts

Like all Plasmodium species P. kentropyxi has both vertebrate and insect hosts. The vertebrate hosts for this parasite are reptiles. The only known vertebrate host is the teiid lizard Kentropyx calcarata.

Distribution

This species is found in Brazil and Surinam.