The following is the solution to the Babesia crossword puzzle. Thank you for all the positive comments. One astute person did however find an error in the crossword puzzle which I must own up to. Thanks for pointing it out. The error is for clue “16 Down” where the word “piroplasm” should have been “Apicomplexa” instead. Piroplasms and Plasmodium are part of the group Apicomplexa.
Across
3) This developmental stage of the tick is most likely to transmit Babesia … [NYMPH]
8) The enzymes of this organ are elevated in Babesiosis [LIVER]
12) The main reservoir for Babesia in the Northeastern United States is the white footed mouse or Peromyscus … [LEUCOPUS]
15) This Babesia developmental form is transmitted via the bite of a tick bite to humans [SPOROZOITE]
18) Corticosteroid therapy can result in acute Babesiosis because it is … [IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE]
20) In the United States, along with Babesia, co-infections can occur due to Lyme disease and … [ANAPLASMOSIS]
23) Severe cases of Babesiosis destroying red blood cells can lead to the need for blood … [TRANSFUSIONS]
25) This species of Babesia is found in Europe and produces a far more severe disease then the species microti [DIVERGENS]
26) The destruction of red blood cells can lead to this in patients [ANEMIA]
27) To avoid death Babesia divergen infections require prompt therapy, blood transfusions, and sometimes … [VENTILATION]
Down
1) Inflammation of the liver and spleen … [HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY]
2) This genus of Plasmodium is the most common Plasmodium that Babesia are confused with in peripheral smears [FALCIPARUM]
4) This species of Ixodes is the common vector for Babesia microti [SCAPULARIS]
5) Babesia and Plasmodium are both considered … [PIROPLASMS]
6) This species of Ixodes tick is the vector for Babesia divergens [RICINUS]
7) To provide protection from tick bites it is recommended that you wear protective clothing and tick … [REPELLENT]
9) Babesiosis can range in presentation from subclinical to … [SEVERE]
10) Babesia are commonly spread across wild animals and are therefore considered … [ZOONOTIC]
11) A complication due to Babesiosis can be low platelets, otherwise known as … [THROMBOCYTOPENIA]
13) Absence of this organ predisposes a patient to a more acute presentation of Babesiosis [SPLEEN]
14) Babesia patients can present with muscle pain or …. [MYALGIA]
16) Babesia are closely related to this other piroplasm Apicomplexa genus [PLASMODIUM]
17) This Babesia developmental form is ingested by the tick when feeding on the white footed mouse reservoir [GAMETE]
19) This species of Babesia is endemic in the Northeast Coastal area of the United States as well as mid-Atlantic and upper Midwest [MICROTI]
21) Name given to a unique formation of Babesia organisms in red blood cells, called a Maltese … [CROSS]
22) Treatments for Babesiosis can include a drug combination of clindamycin and [QUININE]
24) This Babesia developmental form enters the salivary gland of the tick vector [OOKINETE]
25) Extracellular babesia organisms can some times be seen in large numbers in smears making them appear … [DIRTY]