Babesiosis
is a rare disease caused by single-celled parasites which infect red blood
cells. Babesia mainly infect animals with humans only being occasionally
infected. These parasites are transmitted to humans primarily by tick bites.
Their name originates from Victor Babeș (1854-1926), a Romanian physician who
first described them.
Some infected people are asymptomatic. Certain groups of people are vulnerable to severe infection like those without a spleen and those with an impaired immune system. Under the microscope, these parasites are oval shaped within the red blood cells, a pear-shaped appearance.
Reference:
Some infected people are asymptomatic. Certain groups of people are vulnerable to severe infection like those without a spleen and those with an impaired immune system. Under the microscope, these parasites are oval shaped within the red blood cells, a pear-shaped appearance.
Reference:
Zimmer AJ, Simonsen KA. Babesiosis. [Updated
2020 Aug 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls
Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Go to reference.
Pear-shaped forms, pears
