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<quiz-item choice question="Choose the correct answer" text="Which of the following parasites is most likely?" options="Anaplasma sp.|Babesia sp.|Cytauxzoon sp.|Mycoplasma sp.|Ehrlichia sp." answer="Cytauxzoon sp.">
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See: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/blood-parasites/cytauxzoonosis-in-cats#Diagnosis_v12539179
^ Blood parasite/bacteria ^ Target Cell ^ Cell location ^ size ^ Features ^
| Babesia sp. | RBC | Cytoplasm | **0.5-1.5μm x 1-4μm** | **Single or paired. Ring forms** |
| Trypanosoma sp. | **Plasma** |1-3μm x 15-20μm | **Elongated/spindle shaped**|
| Anaplasma sp.* | **RBC** | Cytoplasm | **<1μm** | Round |
| Ehrlichia sp. | **Monocytes/neutrophils** | Cytoplasm | 1-2μm| Round/oval |
| Mycoplasma sp. | RBC | **Cell surface** | 0.5-3μm | Round, rings or chains |
| Cytauxzoon sp. | **RBCs (piroplasms) and monocytes (Schizonts)** | Cytoplasm | **Piroplasm 0.5-2.5μm. Schizonts 15-250μm much bigger than other leukocytes** | Round/oval to pyriform |
*Anaplasma platys in dogs infects platelets.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects granulocytes and monocytes - both of these used to be called Erhlichia.



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