This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: miscellaneous, Subject name: Microbiology
A 15-year-old boy presented with fever and chills for the last 3 days. A peripheral blood smear revealed the following. Which of the following is the most probable causative agent? 
Select and explain. 
A. Plasmodium malariae, B. Plasmodium falciparum, C. Plasmodium ovale, D. Plasmodium vivax
B: Plasmodium falciparum
Answer: B: Plasmodium falciparum 
Explanation: The given clinical scenario and the peripheral smear showing the Maurer&;s dots are suggestive of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Features of Plasmodium falciparum on peripheral smear are Maurer's dots, ring form, accole form, and banana-shaped gametocytes. Reference: Paniker&;s Textbook of Medical Parasitology 8th edition