Question

Schuffner’s dots are related to
A. Entamoeba histolytica
B. Leukocytes
C. Mosquito
D. RBCs of humans

Answer 1

Hint: Schuffner’s dots help in the morphological identification of malaria, which is a life-threatening disease. Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax are the causative agents of malaria in humans and induce changes to the host cells.

Complete answer:
Schuffner’s dots are related to the RBCs of humans.
Schuffner’s dots are found in the hematological analysis of patients with malaria. Plasmodium vivax causes morphological alterations in the red blood cells of the infected patients. These alterations appear as brick-red dots when observed under a light microscope. These dots serve an important role as key identifiers for the disease. They also help in identifying the species of the particular malarial parasite that has infected the person.
Additional information:
Malaria is a life-threatening disease that is caused by the Plasmodium parasites through the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. When the infected mosquito (infected with the parasite) bites a healthy human, the parasite gets transmitted into the bloodstream.
Five Plasmodium species can cause malaria; however, the two most common and dangerous ones are P. falciparum and P. vivax.
Most of the symptoms of malaria are similar to those of flu. In addition, the person may also suffer from chills, nausea, muscular and abdominal pain.

The correct answer is – D. RBCs of humans.

Note: Once the parasites enter the bloodstream, they travel to the liver, where they mature. Once matured, they leave the liver and re-enter the bloodstream. Once they are in the bloodstream, they affect the red blood cells, leading to lysis.