Question

During the erythrocytic schizogony of Plasmodium vivax fine granules appear in the cytoplasm of infected RBC. They are known as
A. Maurer’s dots
B. Hemozoin granules
C. Ferritin
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Plasmodium vivax is one type of protozoan parasite which acts as a human pathogen. This parasite is the most common and widely distributed and this causes recurring malaria. This parasite is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito.

Complete step by step answer: Plasmodium vivax is a protozoan parasite distributed mainly in Asia, Latin America, and in some parts of Africa. This parasite is mainly responsible for recurring malaria and the female Anopheles mosquitoes are the carrier of this parasite. Malaria caused due to its infections can lead to severe disease and death.
Erythrocytic schizogony is a phase of malaria infection when the red blood cells become infected by the parasite. In the red blood cells, the parasite goes through the various stages of development and finally they develop into merozoites. Generally, Plasmodium vivax takes about twelve days, while the other parasite Plasmodium falciparum takes about nine days to complete its phase. The attacked RBCs increase in size as much to twice than normal RBC cells. The cells show the presence of special dots known as the Schuffner’s cells. They are also known as Schuffner’s granules and appear to have a dotted appearance. When coloured with specific stains, they take up a light pink to red or red yellow colour.
The attack on red blood cells depends on the type of Plasmodium. Plasmodium falciparum attacks all red blood cells and the Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale attack young red blood cells and reticulocytes and Plasmodium malariae attack senescent red blood cells.
At the last of the phases the red cells are broken down and the parasite is released into the circulation. Generally, the cycle takes approx. every forty-eight hours in the case of Plasmodium falciparum infection, and the case of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale takes every forty-eight to seventy -two hours and every seventy -two hours in Plasmodium malariae infection.
Maurer's dots are the membranous structures present in the red blood cell. It occurs during the infection of Plasmodium falciparum. Through this, the proteins of the parasite are trafficked on their way to the red blood cell.
Hemozoin is a type of granules that is a disposal product produced due to the digestion of blood by some blood-feeding parasites.
Ferritin is one type of intracellular protein that can store iron. The protein is generated by almost all living organisms, including bacteria, algae, and higher plants.
Therefore, the correct option is option D.

Note: Plasmodium vivax is a very common form of the Plasmodium which is a protozoan parasite. Due to this pathogen recurring malaria is caused in humans and this parasite is carried by the female Anopheles mosquitoes. There is Schuffner’s granule that appears in the cytoplasm of red blood cells by the infection of Plasmodium vivax.