Plasmodium coulangesi

Plasmodium coulangesi is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium subgenus Vinckeia.

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

Description
The parasite was first described by Lepers et al in 1989.

Clinical features and host pathology
The only known host for this species is the lemur Lemur macaco macaco.

The shape, size and colour of the host erythrocyte are unaltered by the presence of the parasite.

The mature schizonts produce 6 schizonts.

The malarial pigment lies apart from the parasitic mass and is connected to it by only a wisp of cytoplasm.