Plasmodium ovale also only infects reticulocytes. Despite P. ovale and P. vivax infections being clinically similar, P. ovale malaria is usually less severe, tends to relapse less frequently, and usually ends with spontaneous recovery. Relapses can occur as early as 17 days after treatment of the initial attack to as late as 255 days.
Incubation period is similar to that of P. vivax but with lower frequency and lower severity of symptoms. Anemia is mild and there is potential for central nervous system involvement. Parasitemia is limited to around 2 to 4%.
