he presence of target cells and basophilic stippling in this image also makes the identification of parasite (code: 54) an unlikely choice. The peripheral smears of most patients with malarial inclusions are normochromic and normocytic . About 25% of patients with malaria exhibit hemolytic anemia - characterized by spherocytosis (due to pitting of parasites from the red cell), reticulocytosis and shortened red blood cell survival.