Babesia bovis

• A small Babesia species (i.e. smaller than B.bigmenia)
• Single forms are most common but look for paired organisms in the centre of erythocytes (often at greater than 90 degree angle to each other)
• The parasites are elliptical or have a vacuolated ring shape
• Because it renders infected erythocytes "sticky", B.bovis is more numerous in peripheral capillary blood - this is why thin blood smears should be collected from the tip of the tail for the diagnosis of bovine tick fever

Blood smear (Wright-Giemsa stain)