Babesia

Question 1

Babesia - Blood smear:

-Trophozoites (4)

Answer 1

• Multiple (often)
• Diads or Tetrads (“Maltese cross”)
• Light Blue Ring forms w/ Red Chromatin dots

*Extraerythrocytic ring forms often present

Question 2

Babesia - Blood smear -Trophozoites:

• Pigment
• Nonring forms

Answer 2

• NO pigment

- NO nonring forms

Question 3

Antibabesial Antibodies may be misleading, especially in places with high prevalence.

• Active Infection Ab titer (by IFA)
• Remote infection Ab titer

Answer 3

Active Infection Ab titer (by IFA)
->1:1025
Remote infection Ab titer
-<1:64

Question 4

Babesia in the US:

• Geography
• Species

Answer 4

Northeastern states

-B. microti

Question 5

What is the most prevalent species in Europe?

Answer 5

B. divergens

Question 6

Babesia Transmission:

• US
• Europe

Answer 6

United States
-Ixodes scapularis

Europe
-Ixodes ricinus

Question 7

Babesia Reservoirs. (2)

Answer 7

• White-tailed deer

- White-footed mouse

Question 8

The White-footed mouse is the reservoir for what organisms? (3)

Answer 8

• Babesia
• Borrelia burgdoferi
• Anaplasma phagocytophilum (human granulocytic ehrlichiosis)

*Ixodes scapularis tick may transmit all 3.

Question 9

Coinfection with Babesia and what have been noted?

Answer 9

Flavivirus

Question 10

Babesia infections symptoms. (2)

Answer 10

• Fever (Nonperiodic)

- Hemolysis

Question 11

Fatal Babesia is seen in what population? (2)

Answer 11

• Splenectomized

- Immunocompromised