“Maltese cross formations” on the blood film are diagnostic


“Maltese cross formations” on the blood film are diagnostic of


“Maltese cross formations” on the blood film are diagnostic of


[A] Malaria
[B] Leishmaniasis
[C] Babesiosis
[D] Cryptosporidiosis



“Maltese cross”


  1. Maltese cross – Babesiosis- In RBCs they can be seen as cross-shaped inclusions: Four merozoites asexually budding, but attached together forming a structure looking like a “Maltese cross”
  2. “Maltese cross formations” on the blood film are diagnostic (pathognomonic) of babesiosis, since they are not seen in malaria, the primary differential diagnosis.