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Babesia microti is sometimes
difficult to distinguish morphologically from Plasmodium
falciparum because in both species
the parasites may be present as intra-erythrocytic rings.
The characteristics that help distinguish B. microti are:
a) the rings are pleomorphic (vary in size and shape); b)
the parasites do not have pigment; and c) the parasites divide
by budding, with the formation of rare but pathognomonic “tetrads”.
Page last modified : May 21, 2004
Content source: Division of Parasitic Diseases
National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)
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