Maltese cross appearance in peripheral blood smear is seen in which of the following infections?
In blood smears, Babesia spp. superficially resemble P. falciparum ring stages, but lack hemozoin pigment, exhibit greater pleomorphism, and form characteristic tetrads (Maltese cross), which are diagnostic, if found.
Plasmodium falciparum
Babesia microti
Leishmania chagasi
Trypanosoma cruzi
Miscellaneous