Tickpedia
Removal · field guidance

Babesia PCR vs blood smear

PCR detects Babesia DNA at parasitemia levels well below the smear threshold, useful when smears are repeatedly negative but suspicion is high.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo
  1. 01
    Smear sensitivity drops sharply below ~0.01% parasitemia.
  2. 02
    PCR (typically targeting 18S rRNA) detects DNA at parasitemia as low as 1 parasite per microliter.
  3. 03
    Order PCR when symptoms suggest babesiosis but smears are negative.
  4. 04
    PCR distinguishes B. microti from other species (B. duncani, B. divergens-like).
  5. 05
    PCR remains positive briefly after treatment; serology persists much longer.

Wild facts

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