Babesia bigemina (1)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Cattle

Question 2

How do you identify?

Answer 2

Stained blood smears demonstrate Trophozoites in RBCs

Apple-seed like

Singly, in pairs, or multiples

2.5-5 micro m

Question 3

Explain the life cycle

Answer 3

Similar to B. canis

After inoculation by tick vector
- Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus

Sporozoites enter bloodstream

Multiply by Schizogony in erythrocytes

Question 4

What are the sites of infection?

Answer 4

Erythrocytes

Question 5

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 5

Destruction of red blood cells - clinical manifestations

Chronic cases

 - Intermittent fever
 - Anemia
 - Emaciation
 - Edema
 - Icterus

Inverse age susceptibility

 - Older animals more susceptible - chronic infection
 - Younger animals are immune

Question 6

How do you diagnose?

Answer 6

Acute infection
- Trophozoites observed in peripheral blood smear using Giemsa or
Wright’s stain

Serology identifies chronic infections

Question 7

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 7

Antiprotozoal remedies effective

Tick control critical to prevention

Question 8

What are the common names?

Answer 8

Bovine piroplasmosis

Bovine babesiosis

Texas Cattle Fever
- Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. - Cattle Fever Tick