Parasitic Diseases: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Parasitic Diseases: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 22-year-old man returns from a trip to Nigeria and presents with cyclic fevers, chills, and headaches. Thick and thin blood smears are obtained. Which of the following microscopic findings would confirm the diagnosis?

A. Macroovale forms inside normoblasts
B. Banana-shaped gametocytes
C. Schuffner's stippling of RBCs
D. Enlarged RBCs with central pallor
E. Ring forms inside RBCs

Answer and topic summary

The answer is E) Ring forms inside RBCs

This patient with suggestive symptoms and recent travel to a malaria-endemic area should prompt evaluation of thick and thin peripheral blood smears. Visualization of ring-stage trophozoites inside RBCs is diagnostic of malaria infection. Macroovale forms inside normoblasts are seen with Babesia. Banana-shaped gametocytes can be seen but do not confirm diagnosis. Schuffner’s stippling is seen with P. vivax/ovale. Enlarged RBCs with central pallor indicates a hemolytic process.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Infectious Disease ⇒ Parasitic Disease (PEARLS) ⇒ Malaria (Lecture)

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