Babesia microti

Theileria microti is an infectious blood disease transmitted by deer ticks. It was previously in the taxonomic genus Babesia, as Babesia microti, until ribosomal RNA comparisons placed it in the sister genus Theleria. B. microti is responsible for the disease babesiosis, a malaria-like disease which also causes fever and hemolysis. However, one important difference from malaria is that B. microti does not infect liver cells. Additionally, B. microti is spread by tick bites (the same tick that spreads lyme disease - Ixodes scapularis, to be exact). Finally, under the microscope, the merozoite form of the B. microti lifecycle in red blood cells forms a cross-shaped structure, often referred to as a "Maltese cross," whereas malaria forms more of a diamond ring structure in red blood cells.

External links

• Minnesota Department of Health