babesia Flashcards
phylum and order of babesia
phylum: Apicomplexa
order: Piroplasmida
briefly explain how babesia spp and plasmodium spp differs in terms of
- morphology
- life cycle
- mot
MORPHOLOGY
babesia:
pleomorphic (diff shapes n sizes, it varies)
- trophozoites form
- no schizont n gametocyte
plasmodium:
uniform size and shape
- have trophozoite, schizont n gametocyte form
LIFECYCLE
babesia:
no pre-erythrocytic stage and no hemozoin
plasmodium:
present both
MOT
babesia: tick bites
plasmodium: mosquito bites
Intracellular parasites or hemoparasites causing malaria-like infections
babesia spp
hemoparasites - lives inside RBCs and feed on ‘em
who discovered babesia
Victor Babes (1888) first identified it in cattle
and called it Haematococcus bovis.
who linked babesia to texas cattle fever
Theobald Smith & Fred Kilborne (1893)
*texas cattle fever also called red water fever
*zoonotic parasite
it is a parasite that mainly infects animals (both wild and domestic) but can sometimes infect humans too.
zoonotic parasite
what type of host does a human play in the life cycle of babesia
accidental host
- no primary involvement in the life cycle and transmission of babesia
what are the 2 types of babesia that infect humans
Babesia microti (Theileria microti)
– Common in the U.S.
Babesia divergens
– Found more often in Europe.
shape and size of the trophozoite
○ Size: 2-4 um
○ Shape: Round, oval, pear-shaped
○ Develops after the sporozoites invade the RBC.
■ Since no pre-erythrocytic cycle
what is the diagnostic feature of babesiosis
presence of Babesia trophozoites inside red blood cells (RBCs)
Does Babesia have a liver stage like malaria?
No, Babesia directly infects RBCs.
How is Babesia different from Plasmodium falciparum?
Babesia does NOT produce malarial pigment (hemozoin).
What structure is characteristic of Babesia merozoites?
The Maltese cross formation (four connected merozoites)
*babesia produce 2-4 merozoites per rbc
[maltese cross formation - arranged in a cross-like pattern and its a key diagnostic feature]
what are the key differences between Babesia and Malaria?
No liver stage
Fewer merozoites
No malarial pigment (hemozoin)
where does the merozoites develop
within the RBC as trophozoites mature
sexual reproduction:
asexual reproduction:
sexual reproduction: vector - tick (definitive host)
asexual reproduction: mice, deer, cattle, dogs, humans (intermediate host)
what are the
vector:
intermediate host:
MOT:
vector:
ixodes dammini (also called ixodes scapularis -a type of tick)
intermediate host:
Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed mouse)
- more common in US
MOT:
bite of infected Ixodes ticks
disease caused by Babesia
babesiosis
🔹 self limiting, benign (heal on its own)
🔹 more severe & fatal
🔹 graudal onset oof symptoms
[start slowly and gets worse over time]
what are the symptoms
prodromal symptoms: [early symptoms - feels like flu]
○ Fever
○ Myalgias (muscle pain)
○ Headache fatigue
○ Chills
○ Weakness
○ Sweating
○ Arthralgias (joint pain)
other clinical symptoms:
○ Hepatosplenomegaly
- enlarged liver and spleen
○ Hemolytic anemia
- destruction of RBC
○ Thrombocytopenia
- low platelets - bleeding risk
Serious Complications of Babesiosis
complications due to severity:
Jaundice
→ Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin.
Renal (kidney) failure
→ Kidneys stop working properly, leading to waste buildup.
Non-cardiac pulmonary edema
→ Fluid builds up in the lungs, making it hard to breathe (not caused by heart problems).
what are the lab diagnosis of Babesiosis
- Microscopy [Blood Smear Test – Best Method]
🔹 use Peripheral blood smear stained with Giemsa-stained
*it is the gold standard - Thick and thin blood smears
- help identify the parasite inside RBC - Serologic Tests
[Checking for Antibodies]
🔹 Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody (IFA) test
→ Detects antibodies against Babesia.
🔹 Immunoblot test
→ Also checks for immune response to Babesia infection. - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
🔹Detects Babesia DNA in the blood.
🔹 Helps differentiate between Babesia microti and divergens.
fectors to consider in chosing theraphy
○ Patient’s age
[older aduls may need stronger treatment]
○ Immune status
[weaker immune systems need more aggressive treatment]
○ G6PD status
[some drugs can be dangerous for ppl w G6PD deficiency]
○ Clinical symptoms
[mild cases need diff treatment than severe ones]
treatment for humans and animals
Humans (Antiprotozoal Drugs):
🔹 Severe cases → Clindamycin + Quinine
🔹 Mild to moderate cases → Atovaquone + Azithromycin
Animals:
🔹 Diminazene aceturate
🔹 Pentamidine
🔹 Pyrimethamine
prevention and control
- Avoid tick-infested areas (BEST)
- Use insect repellents
- eradicate tick population - Eradicate tick population
