Which parasite is associated with Schüffner's dots in a blood smear?

Schüffner's dots are small, red granules seen in the cytoplasm of red blood cells that are infected by certain species of malaria parasites. Specifically, they are associated with Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. These dots represent the presence of hemozoin, which is a byproduct of hemoglobin breakdown by the parasite, and are a key morphological feature when identifying these species in a blood smear.

Plasmodium vivax is known to cause benign tertian malaria and is characterized by the presence of these dots along with larger, more swollen red blood cells when compared to uninfected cells. Identification of Schüffner's dots can help differentiate P. vivax from other malaria species, as they are not typically found in infections of Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium malariae. Plasmodium falciparum tends to show more irregularly shaped and denser parasitic forms without the presence of Schüffner's dots, while Plasmodium malariae usually has different morphological characteristics altogether.

Understanding these microscopic features is fundamental for accurate diagnosis and treatment of malaria.