CULTURAL METHOD IN BABESIOSIS PATHOGENS DIAGNOSIS: CURRENT STATE OF THE PROBLEM

Abstract

The aim is to show the effectiveness of the cultural method in the diagnosis of babesiosis. Materials and methods: The study material was the blood from 10 healthy humans and animals, 30 humans with borreliosis, 41 animals with babesiosis. A cultural research method was used. Results: The use of cultural method contributed to the optimization of the etiopathogenetic diagnosis of babesiosis. The method objectively proved the ability of protozoa (Babesia spp.) to asexual reproduction in vitro on the multicomponent growth medium with erythrocytes; proved the role of erythrocytes as acceptable for Babesia spp. of target cells. Absolute and relative parameters of detection of Babesia spp. by cultural method in the blood samples of the groups of the examined persons/species were different, making on average 19.7% (with the highest rates among the domestic dogs (62.5%) and cattle (20.0%)). Negative result (0%) was identified among the patients with borreliosis. Conclusions: Detection of Babesia spp. by the cultural method objectively confirmed its value as an apparent laboratory criterion for the etiopathogenetic diagnosis of babesiosis.