What stage of Babesia is associated with hemolysis?

The stage of Babesia associated with hemolysis is the merozoite stage. Merozoites are the form that emerges from infected red blood cells after the organism has multiplied in the trophozoite stage. When these merozoites are released into the bloodstream, they can invade new red blood cells, leading to further replication and, consequently, the destruction of the host's red blood cells—this process is responsible for hemolysis.

This hemolytic activity is a hallmark of Babesia infections, leading to clinical signs such as anemia, jaundice, and other symptoms related to red blood cell destruction. Understanding the life cycle of Babesia and the role of each developmental stage provides insight into the pathology of the disease it causes in the host.