Electron microscopical studies on the development of Babesia canis (Sporozoa) in the salivary glands of the vector tick Dermacentor reticulatus.

The formation of sporozoites of Babesia canis was studied by light- and electron microscopy in the salivary gland cells of adult female ticks from the 2nd day after attachment until 1 day after detachment. It was found that this process was initiated by the binary division of kinetes that had already entered or entered during the period examined. During division the kinetes (15 X 2.5 microns) lost their typical organelles, reduced their three-layered pellicle to a single membrane and became spherical. After nuclear division and a further time-lag cell division occurred, giving rise to two cells in which this process was repeated. After numerous binary divisions the parasites acquired more and more closely the shape of the later infectious, pyriform sporozoite. These sporozoites measured about 2.5 X 1.5 microns and also had a three-layered pellicle, with rhoptries and a few micronemes, but never contained "spherical bodies". The formation process needed about 2--3 days so that the transmission to the dog could be carried out while the tick engorges and this is probably the stimulation for the development. Finally the cytological features of this sporozoite formation were compared to those in the Theileria species studied by our group.