Seeing is believing: Visualization and quantification of parasite growth under hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions in sickle RBCs using ImageStream®

Sickle red blood cells (RBCs) (SS) represent a naturally existing host-cell resistance mechanism to hemoparasite infections such as malaria and babesiosis. Using the Amnis ImageStream®, we investigated the basis of this resistance using Babesia divergens grown in SS cells at hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions and the impact of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). This webinar will discuss: • Application of machine learning module of IDEAS® to quantify percent “sickled” cells at low and high oxygen conditions. • How to identify the host cell of choice for the intra-RBC parasite Babesia divergens (“sickle” vs “round”) at low and high oxygen conditions • The use of anti-HbF antibodies to quantitate and visualize sickling in SS RBCs that are positive for fetal hemoglobin (HbF) • The use of cord red cells as a positive control, and identifying the parasite’s preference towards HbF-containing host cells.