Theileria parasites

Here, a white blood cell infected with Theileria (labelled green) is dividing into two daughter cells and the parasite has adopted a cunning disguise to get itself copied in the process. By covering itself in one of the host’s own proteins Theileria is pulled to opposite ends of the cell by the spindle (stained red) along with the dividing host DNA (stained blue). When the daughter cells split both will be infected and the parasite quickly spreads throughout the blood in this way. Scientists hope that understanding exactly how these tiny tricksters operate will inspire new ways to stop them. (Written by Emma Stoye)

Image courtesy: Dirk Dobbelaere, University of Bern, Switzerland (published on PLoS Biology here)

Brought to my attention by Susan on the World Federation of Parasitologists official Facebook page, check it out for all things parasite-related!