Plasmodium iguanae

Plasmodium iguanae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

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

Plasmodium achiotense
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Protista
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Haemosporida
Family: Plasmodiidae
Genus: Plasmodium
Species: P. iguanae
Binomial name
Plasmodium iguanae

Description

The parasite was first described by Telford in 1980.[1]

The schizonts have 6 to 25 nuclei and are heavily pigmented when in erythrocytes.

The gametocytes are round to oval, prominently pigmented and exceed the host cell nucleus in size, are more commonly found in pro-erythrocytes than in mature cells.

Geographical occurrence

This species is found in Venezuela.

Clinical features and host pathology

The only known host species is the Green Iguana lizard Iguana iguana.

References

  1. Telford, S. R, Jr (1980) The saurian malarias of Venezuela: Plasmodium species from iguanid and teiid hosts. Int. J. Parasitol. 10(5/6): 365-374


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