What is Babesia Species DNA?
Babesia is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite transmitted primarily through Ixodes scapularis tick bites, the same vector responsible for Borrelia burgdorferi. After inoculation, sporozoites invade red blood cells and replicate asexually, producing the characteristic ring forms and tetrads ('Maltese cross') visible on blood smears during active parasitaemia. In North America the predominant species are Babesia microti and the less common but more severe Babesia duncani. Parasitaemia is typically intermittent and low-grade in immunocompetent hosts but can be high and persistent in asplenic, immunosuppressed, or elderly patients.