title: Ultrastructure of the Babesia divergens free merozoite.
abstract: The invasive form of the apicomplexan parasite Babesia divergens, the free merozoite, invades the erythrocytes of host vertebrates, leading to significant pathology. Although invasion is an active process critical for parasite survival, it is not yet entirely understood. Using techniques to isolate the viable free merozoite, as well as electron microscopy, we undertook a detailed morphological study and explored the sub-cellular structure of the invasive B. divergens free merozoite after it had left the host cell. We examined characteristic apicomplexan features such as the apicoplast, the inner and discontinuous double membrane complex, and the apical complex; some aspects of erythrocyte entry by B. divergens were also defined by electron microscopy. This study adds to our understanding of B. divergens free merozoites and their invasion of human erythrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microscopia Electrónica y Confocal, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2.2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: mcterron@isciii.es.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Carmen Terrón
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microscopia Electrónica y Confocal, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2.2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: fgonzalezc@isciii.es.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González-Camacho
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahoda-Pozuelo Km 2.2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: lmgonzal@isciii.es.
authors.forename: Luis Miguel
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microscopia Electrónica y Confocal, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2.2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: dluque@isciii.es.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luque
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahoda-Pozuelo Km 2.2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: estrella.montero@isciii.es.
authors.forename: Estrella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montero
mesh_terms: D001403:Babesia / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D052940:Merozoites / Q000648:ultrastructure*
keywords: Apical complex; Apicoplast; Babesia divergens; Free merozoite; Inner membrane complex; Ultrastructure