Babesia microti

Babesia microti is a microscopic protozoan that loves to hide inside our red blood cells. It sneaks in like a secret agent, multiplies, and then releases a new generation ready to continue the mission. Its visual signature? A small Maltese cross visible under a microscope, as pretty as it is formidable.

But this cell phone pirate has an accomplice: the tick of the Ixodes genus. It is this tick that transports Babesia from one host to another, reigniting the adventure between humans, mice, and nature.

What makes Babesia microti unique: 1. An intracellular lifestyle within red blood cells, like a miniature vampire. 2. A disease related to malaria: babesiosis. 3. The famous Maltese cross, visible within a red blood cell, an iconic pattern that fascinates microbiologists. 4. A complex life cycle involving ticks, humans, and rodents, a surprising ecological trio.

Even though Babesia microti prefers to remain hidden, there are several general ways to limit its spread: Avoid ticks, its preferred mode of transport: wear long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing to spot them more easily. Be careful in wooded or tall grassy areas : this is where ticks are most active. Check your body after an outing : the sooner a tick is removed, the less time it has to transmit anything. Finally, keep an eye on pets, which can unintentionally bring ticks home.

Fortunately, babesiosis is usually treated with a combination of antimicrobials prescribed by a healthcare professional!

To raise awareness and help eradicate this parasite, add the Babesia microti sticker to your collection! It's now available on our website!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

PUN: I'm your new Babe-sia!