Plasmodium mackerrasae

Plasmodium mackerrasae is a parasite of the genus Plasmodium.

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

Description
The parasite was first described by Telford in 1979.

Both schizonts and gametocytes parasitize all cells in the erythrocyte series.

The presence of pigment in both asexual and sexual stages is correlated with maturity of the host cell.

While asexual forms contain a single large vacuole, the mature gametocytes may show 1-4 vacuoles.

The mature schizonts containing 6-12 nuclei arranged peripherally as a rosette.

The gametocytes areround to oval and are equal to or slightly smaller than host cell nuclei.

This species resembles Plasmodium sasai and Plasmodium tropiduri. It may be distinguished from these species by the following characteristics:

P. sasai posses fan-shaped schizonts and its gametocytes are more heavily pigmented

P. tropiduri has more variability in shape and greater vacuolation of the gametocytes.

Host and geographic differences further support the distinction of these species.

Geographical occurrence
This parasite is found in Australia.

Clinical features and host pathology
This species occurs naturally in the Australian skinks Egernia cunninghami and Egernia striolata. It will also infect Egernia whitei.