title: Light and electron microscopic study on developmental stages of Babesia canis within the gut of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus.
abstract: The initial developmental stages of Babesia canis within the gut of the vector tick, Dermacentor reticulatus, were studied by means of light and electron microscopy. Large quantities of varying "spiky-rayed" stages and few ovoid stages without any protrusions were observed after lysis of the engorged canine erythrocytes. The transformation of spherical erythrocytic stages into "spiky-rayed" forms was initiated inside the intact erythrocytes. The significance of all developmental stages in a hypothetical life cycle of Babesia species is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013987:Ticks / Q000469:parasitology*