Plasmodium percygarnhami

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

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

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

The infected erythrocyte becomes deformed - holly leaf-shaped or sometimes sea-urchin-shaped - and may also become decolourized when parasitized by older stages.

The mature schizonts produce 20 merozoites.

Geographical occurrence
This species is found in Madagascar.

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