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Fig. 1 | Malaria Journal

Fig. 1

From: Species-specific escape of Plasmodium sporozoites from oocysts of avian, rodent, and human malarial parasites

Fig. 1

Plasmodium gallinaceum sporozoites escaping from oocysts. a and b Hundreds of rounded P. gallinaceum oocysts of similar size protruding from the external surface of the midgut (Mdgt) among the muscle fibers (Mfb) and tracheoles (Tch). Most oocysts form clusters of a few individuals (asterisks). All oocysts have a completely smooth surface. Magnification = ×100. c Two oocysts attached side by side to the midgut surface; one is completely smooth (S-ooc) and the other is flattened (F-ooc). Note the single hemocyte attached over the completely smooth oocyst wall (arrow). Magnification = ×1400. d One completely smooth oocyst (S-ooc) with a cracked wall (arrows) and a partly cracked oocyst (asterisks) showing hundreds of escaping sporozoites (Spz). Magnification = ×1700. e Thousands of clustered sporozoites (Spz) can be seen inside and escaping from a partly cracked oocyst (white asterisk). In the upper portion of the image, an empty half-shell of a broken oocyst can be seen, in which it is possible to observe details of the internal wall (In-wall). S-ooc = completely smooth oocyst. Magnification = ×1500. f Magnified view of the dashed area of Fig. 1d, showing the porous surface of the internal wall (In-wall) of the oocyst. Spz = clusters of escaping sporozoites. Magnification = ×4500

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