Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoa parasite, one of the species of the Plasmodium genus that causes malaria in humans. It is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Different stages of development can be observed, in the Anopheles mosquito (where the parasite reproduces), inside the hepatocytes and inside the red blood cells of the human host. P. falciparum transmits the most dangerous form of malaria with the highest rates of complications and mortality, it is the producer of 80% of all the malaria infections and 90% of deaths caused by the disease. It is more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa than in other areas of the world.

Blood stage of parasite development Image 1: Normal erythrocyte; Images 2-18: Trophozoites (among these, Images 2-10 are the  ring-form trophozoites); Images 19-26: Schizonts (image 26 is a schizont rupture); Images 27, 28: Mature microgametocyte (female); Images 29, 30: Mature microgametocyte (male).Illustrations by: Coatney GR, Collins WE, Warren M, Contacos PG. The Primate Malarias. Bethesda: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; 1971. Photo: Raquel Almarcha

Plasmodium falciparium Objective 40X	Plasmodium falciparium Objective 100X	Plasmodium falciparium Objective 100X

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