<prompt> Which of the following is carrying agent for the disease with given characteristic on polarized microscopyAnophelesIxodes scapularis ticksLouseRat flea  <response>: Babesiosis infects the RBCs and resides inside the RBCs intraerythrocytic. Intraerythrocytic infection of Babesiosis is characterised by maltese cross. Maltese cross is a characteristic arrangement of parasites within the erythrocytes ---Parasites within erythrocytes are arranged such that pointed ends of four parasites come in contact thereby giving a tetrad configuration resembling a maltese cross. Tetrad forms or ;Maltese cross; appearance is considered pathognomic of Babesiosis. Babesiosis can easily be confused with P. falciparum malaria.Following two features distinguish Babesiosis from malaria 1. Presence of maltese cross in Babesiosis absent in malaria 2. Absence of pigment Hemozoin in Babesiosis present in malaria REF : HARRISONS 21ST ED 