In our book on how to recognize Babesia, which is superior to mere dot images, the outer membranes show no obvious defects.
But in reality Babesia is not a small germ, but a parasite with a death rate of 1.4%. Curious since probably over 90% of Babesia is missed.
And Babesia single-celled parasites inside red blood cell do deform the red blood cells.
I am seeing too many deep calf clots or DVTs in my biting insect-infected patients, and I think one reason may be the infections cause deformities, leading to poor movement through blood vessels.
QUOTE:
Babesia not only is invasive but creates RBC inflexibility Ryan P. Jajosky and Sean R. Stowell... In *Blood* [medical journal], Beri et al1 report on the impact of Babesia divergens on human red blood cells (RBCs) with hemoglobin (Hb) AA, AS, or SS. Although parasite biology is important for babesiosis, the RBC is likely to be the chief culprit of the pathophysiology of this infectious disease. The authors provide new details about how this intraerythrocytic parasite impacts RBC deform ability (RBC-D), RBC sickling, and the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from RBCs. These new insights may explain important features of parasite infection that drive morbidity and mortality.
Blood. 8MAY2025.VOLUME145,NUMBER1. 2114-2115.
How microbiologists and pathologists ID Babesia.
Thank you