[Atypical forms of Plasmodium vivax. Apropos of a case].

In one case of human malaria imported from Gabon, abnormal forms of Plasmodium vivax are described; severe multiple infections of the host erythrocytes are noticed (up to 6 amoeboid trophozoites in a single red blood cell). Attention is drawn to the numerous morphologically abnormal intra-erythrocytic stages of P. vivax: severe multiple infections of red cells, parasites "ressembling" P. ovale, mature schizonts of small size, with reduced number of merozoites... The geographical distribution of P. vivax in Central Africa is discussed, with reflections on the factors allowing the importation of few P. vivax cases from this area.