Exoerythrocytic schizozoite of Plasmodium vivax or P. ovale in the human liver, characterized by delayed primary development; thought to be responsible for malarial relapse.
* * *
hyp·no·zo·ite (hip″no-zoґīt) [hypno- + Gr. zōon animal] the round or oval, uninucleate, dormant form of Plasmodium seen inside hepatic cells during the intrahepatic stage of the parasite's life; it is believed to be the true latent stage associated with relapse in malaria.Medical dictionary. 2011.