How is Piroplasmosis transmitted?

How is Piroplasmosis transmitted?

• A. Mosquitoes
• B. Direct contact
• C. Ticks
• D. Fomites

Answer: (C)

Transmission occurs via ticks, because piroplasmas such as Babesia complete their life cycle inside ticks and are transmitted to a mammalian host during a tick bite. As the tick feeds, it injects sporozoites through its saliva, and these invade red blood cells to begin infection. This tick-borne route is why exposure to ticks is the key risk factor, while mosquitoes, direct contact, or fomites are not modes by which piroplasmosis spreads. (Note: transfusion can transmit Babesia in some cases, but natural, vector-mediated transmission is via ticks.)

Transmission occurs via ticks, because piroplasmas such as Babesia complete their life cycle inside ticks and are transmitted to a mammalian host during a tick bite. As the tick feeds, it injects sporozoites through its saliva, and these invade red blood cells to begin infection. This tick-borne route is why exposure to ticks is the key risk factor, while mosquitoes, direct contact, or fomites are not modes by which piroplasmosis spreads. (Note: transfusion can transmit Babesia in some cases, but natural, vector-mediated transmission is via ticks.)