Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages
Published on: May 30, 2019
[Morphological studies of Babesia divergens during continuous transfer in Meriones unguiculatus]
1Institut für Pathologie des Fachbereiches Veterinärmedizin, Freien Universität Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
A strain of Babesia divergens was propagated by inoculation of 1.5 x 10(7) parasitized erythrocytes in 30 passages under same conditions on altogether 150 jirds. The developmental stages of Babesia divergens revealed pleomorphism in the erythrocytes of the jird. Single parasites were observed as being pyriform, globular, budding, ring-like or amoebid. The shape of dividing parasites varied between the spherical and the pyriform. The stages in the erythrocytes were localized predominantly intermedia. The reduction of the number of dividing forms and the increase of single forms occurred with increasing numbers of passages. Length and breadth of double pyriforms increased by approximately 20%.
Insights
Babesia divergens exhibits pleomorphism in jird erythrocytes, with shapes changing during passages. Parasite morphology shifts from dividing to single forms as passages increase.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Babesia divergens is an intraerythrocytic parasite
- Jirds are commonly used laboratory animals for parasitic disease research
Purpose:
- To investigate the developmental stages and morphological changes of Babesia divergens in jirds over serial passages
- To characterize the pleomorphism of Babesia divergens under controlled laboratory conditions
Summary:
- Babesia divergens was propagated through 30 passages in 150 jirds using 1.5 x 10^7 parasitized erythrocytes.
- Parasite morphology displayed significant pleomorphism, including pyriform, globular, budding, ring-like, and amoeboid shapes.
- An increase in single parasite forms and a decrease in dividing forms were observed with serial passages.
- The dimensions of double pyriform stages increased by approximately 20% over the passages.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the dynamic nature of Babesia divergens morphology during host adaptation
- Contributes to understanding parasite development and potential virulence factors
- Informs future research on Babesia infections and control strategies
