Fluorescence-activated cell sorting-derived clones ofBabesia bigemina show karyotype polymorphism

Use of the fluorescence-activated cell sorter proved to be an accurate and highly efficient means for cloningBabesia parasites. These qualities were examined by separating a mixed population ofBabesia-infected bovine erythrocytes composed of two isolates with different karyotypes. Direct evidence of polymorphism was detected during comparison of the resultant clones.