Initial development of Babesia ovata in the tick midgut

Abstract

The initial development of Babesia ovata in the midgut of the vector tick Haemaphysalis longicornis has been demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo studies. Although the research on the partial developmental cycles of B. ovata in the tick midgut was performed in our previous study by using ticks fed on experimentally B. ovata–infected cattle, detailed information on the developmental stages of B. ovata in H. longicornis was limited. This report describes the sequential development of stages of B. ovata in an in vitro study using B. ovata–infected erythrocytes and tick midgut contents. The in vivo study also confirmed the developmental stages in the midgut contents of artificially B. ovata–infected ticks. In this observation, we have recognized the distinct forms of B. ovata developmental stages in the tick midgut; the aggregation forms and ray bodies with shorter spikes and light-stained cytoplasm were shown by Giemsa staining. The similarities and differences of the stages as compared to previous reports have been discussed.