What is the etiologic agent of Piroplasmosis and which is most pathogenic?

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Multiple Choice

What is the etiologic agent of Piroplasmosis and which is most pathogenic?

Piroplasmosis is caused by intracellular protozoa that inhabit red blood cells. In horses, the main agents are Theileria equi (historically called Babesia equi) and Babesia caballi. The organism labeled Babesia equi is the more pathogenic of the two in this host, tending to produce higher parasitemia and more severe illness—fever, anemia, lethargy, and icterus—than B. caballi, which often causes milder disease. The other listed organisms affect different species (Babesia canis in dogs and Babesia divergens in cattle and sometimes humans) and are not the primary causes of equine piroplasmosis.

Piroplasmosis is caused by intracellular protozoa that inhabit red blood cells. In horses, the main agents are Theileria equi (historically called Babesia equi) and Babesia caballi. The organism labeled Babesia equi is the more pathogenic of the two in this host, tending to produce higher parasitemia and more severe illness—fever, anemia, lethargy, and icterus—than B. caballi, which often causes milder disease. The other listed organisms affect different species (Babesia canis in dogs and Babesia divergens in cattle and sometimes humans) and are not the primary causes of equine piroplasmosis.

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