A comparative analysis of the short-term effects of Babesia microti on rat hepatocytes in both in vitro and in vivo conditions

Abstract Human babesiosis is a disease reported mainly in North America, while its etiopathogenesis in Europe is less frequently described. However, according to the literature, human babesiosis in Europe is caused not only by Babesia divergens, as previously thought, but also by Babesia microti. Babesiosis is a parasitemia with varied symptoms, and potentially different organs can become dysfunctional during this disease. Since B. microti penetrates the blood during infection, the liver seems to be particularly exposed to these parasites, especially during the first phase of the disease. Considering the above, we aimed to investigate the effect of B. microti merozoites on hepatocytes. The study was carried out under in vitro and in vivo conditions to compare the different effects i.e. to focus on the direct effects of the protozoa on hepatocytes without the influence of associated cells in the living organism, including the immune system. In the study, we analyzed the effects of B. microti (ATCC 30221) on the liver of infected rats and the contact of the same line of B. microti with hepatocytes of the Clone 9 line (ECACC 88072203). The study was conducted at both microscopic and submicroscopic levels.