This image shows the delicate ring forms of Plasmodium falciparum. Maurer's clefts are also present. These relatively large red-purple comma-shaped intracytoplasmic inclusions are uncommonly seen, but when present, are useful in supporting the morphologic diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria. They are only formed when the malaria stain is at a pH of 7.0 to 7.2.