Thelansis

  Babesiosis is an infection of parasitic nature instigated by protozoa belonging to the genus Babesia. The species of Babesia have been categorized into four distinct clades. Babesia microti, classified as a Clade 1 organism, is the most prevalent and comprehensively described species. The primary mode of acquiring Babesiosis is through tick bites carrying the protozoa. Given that the parasite infects erythrocytes (red blood cells), the infection can also be contracted through blood transfusion, thereby affecting individuals not exposed to endemic areas. Babesia predominantly infects red blood cells, often appearing oval or pear-shaped. The ring form and peripheral location in the red blood cell can lead to misinterpretation of the smear for Plasmodium falciparum. However, unlike Plasmodium, hemolysis is rare in Babesiosis. The increased aggregation and rigidity of the red blood cells often result in acute respiratory distress and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Fragmentation of...