This week’s case comes from a 29-year-old male who returned from a recent trip abroad. He presented to the emergency department with fever, chills, sweats, headache, and general malaise. On examination, he was noted to have mild anaemia and splenomegaly.

Laboratory findings:

• Hb: 102 g/L
• WBC: 6.1 × 10⁹/L
• Platelets: 92 × 10⁹/L
• Bilirubin: 38 µmol/L (predominantly indirect)
• LDH: Mildly raised

A blood film was prepared for a review. This curiosity was seen:

What do you think it could be? What’s the stain used in this case?