Lifecycle of Babecia

(Babesiosis)

BY: MICHAEL LOI R. VELASCO

 Causal Agents:

 Babesiosis is caused by apicomplexan parasites of

the genus Babesia.
 Although more than 100 Babesia species have been
reported, relatively few have caused documented
cases of human infection; these include (but are not
limited to) B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani, and a
currently unnamed agent designated MO1.
 The Babesia microti life cycle involves two hosts,
which include a rodent, primarily the white-footed
mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, and a tick in the
genus Ixodes.
 During a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick
introduces sporozoites into the mouse host.
 Sporozoites enter erythrocytes and undergo asexual
reproduction (budding).
 In the blood, some parasites differentiate into male
and female gametes, although these cannot be
distinguished by light microscopy.
 The definitive host is the tick. Once ingested by an
appropriate tick , gametes unite and undergo a
sporogonic cycle resulting in sporozoites.
 Transovarial transmission (also known as vertical, or
hereditary, transmission) has been documented for
"large" Babesia species but not for the
"small" Babesia, such as B. microti.
 LIFECYCLE TO HUMANS

 Humans enter the cycle when bitten by infected ticks.

 During a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces
sporozoites into the human host.
 Sporozoites enter erythrocytes and undergo asexual
replication (budding).
 Multiplication of the blood-stage parasites is responsible
for the clinical manifestations of the disease.
 Humans usually are dead-end hosts. However, human-
to-human transmission is well recognized to occur via
contaminated blood transfusions