Fig. 2

Maturation of Plasmodium vivax cultured in different sources of reticulocytes. The invasion assay was performed. The purified schizonts were cultured with 4% of RP, RC, and cRBC to give a final concentration of 0.01% schizonts. The maturation of the parasites was monitored at 18 and 48 h. The developmental assessment of the parasite followed the published guideline [2]. a Parasites resided RP, RC, and cRBC at 18 h of cultured showed similar morphology of large ring stage and irregular shape with polymorphic cytoplasm. The parasite occupied 1/3 area of the erythrocyte. b The maturation of the parasites were continued to follow at 48 h. Parasites residing RP showed better maturation compared to RC and cRBC. The parasites reside RP developed to early trophozoite with irregular cytoplasm and light brown pigment. The parasite occupied ½ of enlarged erythrocyte. While the parasites resided RC, and cRBC showed similar morphology of large ring stage parasite and irregular shape with polymorphic cytoplasm. The parasite occupied 1/3 area of the erythrocyte.