The role of mitochondria in the energy metabolism of Babesia microti a
nd Babesia rodhaini was investigated. A variety of mitochondrial inhib
itors showed greater sensitivity to B. microti than to B. rodhaini. Ad
ditionally, alpha-glycerophosphate- and succinate-cytochrome c reducta
se activities in the crude mitochondrial fraction from B. microti were
substantially higher than those from B. rodhaini. Our results suggest
that the mitochondria of these parasites possess a series of ''classi
cal'' apparati for energy production and their relative functional rol
e may be quantitatively greater in B. microti when compared with B. ro
dhaini. (C) 1998 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Els
evier Science Ltd.