Splenomegaly and reticulocytosis caused by Babesia microti infections in natural populations of the montane vole, Microtus montanus. 1991

R A Watkins, and S E Moshier, and W D O'Dell, and A J Pinter
University of Nebraska, Omaha 68182.

A survey for Babesia microti in rodents was conducted at six sites within Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Blood and spleen smears, hematocrits, and reticulocyte counts were made on all of the animals to evaluate parameters for the diagnosis of babesiosis. Ticks were removed for identification. Of 257 Microtus montanus, 103 were infected with B. microti. In addition, five of 12 Microtus pennsylvanicus and one of three Arvicola richardsoni were parasitized by B. microti. Peromyscus maniculatus (n = 40) were not infected. Concurrent infections by Hepatozoon sp., Trypanosoma sp., and the bacterium, Grahamella sp., were noted in blood smears from a number of M. montanus. Splenomegaly and reticulocytosis were significant parameters associated with babesiosis while decreased hematocrit was not. Ticks removed from the voles were identified as Ixodes eastoni and were the probable vectors of the B. microti.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012156 Reticulocytes Immature ERYTHROCYTES. In humans, these are ERYTHROID CELLS that have just undergone extrusion of their CELL NUCLEUS. They still contain some organelles that gradually decrease in number as the cells mature. RIBOSOMES are last to disappear. Certain staining techniques cause components of the ribosomes to precipitate into characteristic "reticulum" (not the same as the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM), hence the name reticulocytes. Reticulocyte
D002452 Cell Count The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample. Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
D003411 Arvicolinae A subfamily of MURIDAE found nearly world-wide and consisting of about 20 genera. Voles, lemmings, and muskrats are members. Clethrionomys,Cricetidae,Dicrostonyx,Lemmings,Lemmus,Mice, Red-Backed,Microtinae,Microtus,Muskrats,Ondatra,Voles,Arvicolines,Microtines,Mouse, Red-Backed,Myodes,Ondatra zibethicus,Arvicoline,Lemming,Mice, Red Backed,Microtine,Mouse, Red Backed,Muskrat,Red-Backed Mice,Red-Backed Mouse,Vole
D004197 Disease Reservoirs Animate or inanimate sources which normally harbor disease-causing organisms and thus serve as potential sources of disease outbreaks. Reservoirs are distinguished from vectors (DISEASE VECTORS) and carriers, which are agents of disease transmission rather than continuing sources of potential disease outbreaks. Humans may serve both as disease reservoirs and carriers. Disease Reservoir,Human Disease Reservoirs,Infectious Disease Reservoir,Reservoirs of Infection,Infectious Disease Reservoirs,Disease Reservoir, Human,Disease Reservoir, Infectious,Disease Reservoirs, Human,Human Disease Reservoir,Infection Reservoir,Infection Reservoirs,Reservoir, Disease,Reservoir, Infectious Disease,Reservoirs, Human Disease
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001179 Arthropod Vectors Arthropods, other than insects and arachnids, which transmit infective organisms from one host to another or from an inanimate reservoir to an animate host. Arthropod Vector,Vector, Arthropod,Vectors, Arthropod
D001403 Babesia A genus of tick-borne protozoan parasites that infests the red blood cells of mammals, including humans. There are many recognized species, and the distribution is world-wide. Piroplasma,Babesias,Piroplasmas
D001404 Babesiosis A group of tick-borne diseases of mammals including ZOONOSES in humans. They are caused by protozoa of the genus BABESIA, which parasitize erythrocytes, producing hemolysis. In the U.S., the organism's natural host is mice and transmission is by the deer tick IXODES SCAPULARIS. Babesiasis,Piroplasmosis,Babesia Infection,Babesia Parasite Infection,Human Babesiosis,Babesia Infections,Babesia Parasite Infections,Babesiases,Babesioses,Babesioses, Human,Babesiosis, Human,Human Babesioses,Infection, Babesia,Infection, Babesia Parasite,Infections, Babesia,Infections, Babesia Parasite,Piroplasmoses
D012376 Rodent Diseases Diseases of rodents of the order RODENTIA. This term includes diseases of Sciuridae (squirrels), Geomyidae (gophers), Heteromyidae (pouched mice), Castoridae (beavers), Cricetidae (rats and mice), Muridae (Old World rats and mice), Erethizontidae (porcupines), and Caviidae (guinea pigs). Disease, Rodent,Diseases, Rodent,Rodent Disease
D013154 Spleen An encapsulated lymphatic organ through which venous blood filters.

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