Babesiosis is a disease that is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Many different species (types) of Babesia parasites have been found in animals, only a few of which have been found in humans. Babesia microti—which commonly infects white-footed mice and other small mammals—is the predominant species found in people in the United States. Occasional cases have been detected due to other Babicea species.
How are people affected by Babesia?
The main method is through the bite of an infected tick.
Babesia microti is spread by Ixodes scapularis ticks, commonly called black-legged ticks or deer ticks. (Although white-tailed deer are the most important food source for the adult stage of the tick, deer are not affected by B. microti.)
- The parasite is usually transmitted by the young nymph stage of the tick. The nymph is mostly found in the warmer months (spring and summer) in forest, brush, or grassy areas.
- Infected individuals may not remember a tick bite because I. scapularis nymphs are tiny (about the size of a poppy seed).
Other possible ways to get infected with Babesia include:
- Receipt of contaminated blood transfusion (no test yet licensed for donor screening)
Where do most cases of babesiosis occur in the United States?
Most cases occur in the Northeast and upper Midwest, especially in New England, New York State, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota. In the Northeast, babesiosis occurs in both inland and coastal areas, including offshore islands, such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard (Massachusetts). Block Island (Rhode Island); and Shelter Island, Fire Island, and Eastern Long Island (New York State).
What are the signs and symptoms of Babesia infection?
Many people who are infected with Babesia microti feel well and have no symptoms. Some people develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue. Because Babesia parasites infect red blood cells, babesiosis can cause hemolytic anemia (by the destruction of red blood cells).
- Babesiosis can be a serious, life-threatening disease, especially in people who
- Don’t be lazy.
- Having a weakened immune system due to other causes (such as cancer, lymphoma, or AIDS).
Prevention of Babesiosis
Prevention is limited to avoiding tick bites and promoting personal measures of protection against ticks. With particular attention to splenectomized and immunologically compromised patients.
The potential risk of infection through blood transfusion needs to be controlled, especially for splenectomized or immunologically compromised patients. Human babesiosis is potentially more severe in Europe. So rapid diagnosis is essential to initiate treatment after clinical suspicion of infection.
How is babesiosis diagnosed in people who have symptoms of infection?
In symptomatic people, babesiosis is usually diagnosed by examining the blood under a microscope and looking for babesiosis parasites inside red blood cells. To make sure the diagnosis is correct. Your healthcare provider may have your blood sample tested at a specific reference laboratory. In addition, your healthcare provider may decide to test your blood for other possible causes of your symptoms, including other tick-borne infections, such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Diagnosis
During the acute phase, the diagnosis of Babesia sp. Infection can be diagnosed by microscopic examination of bloodstains, which show the characteristic pyriform merozoites associated with bis and squares, and round forms without parasitic pigment. Xenodiagnosis or in vitro culture allows the parasite to be isolated. Species identification is possible by PCR. Serology does not allow species identification but is used in epidemiologic studies, it can help assess exposure to Babesia spp.
Management and treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. A parasite reduction of>10% is a criterion associated with high morbidity and mortality. hemoglobin 10 g/dL; previous splenectomy; Adult respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure.
A common treatment for human babesiosis in Europe is based on clindamycin and quinine, combined with blood transfusions. Clindamycin can sometimes be used alone and in mild cases, exchange transfusion can be avoided. Atovaquone combined with azithromycin is also effective.
Etiology and pathogenesis of babesiosis in animals
Babesia is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite from the phylum Apicomplexa, order Piroplasmida. There are more than 100 species of Babicea that infect domestic animals (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats), wildlife, and occasionally humans.
Traditionally, Babicea spp. The classification was based on morphology and vector and host specificity. However, more recent molecular characterizations suggest greater complexity.
Babesia bovis is a much more virulent organism than B bigemina. With most strains of B. bejemina, the pathogenic effects are more directly related to erythrocyte destruction. With virulent strains of B. bovis, a hypotensive shock syndrome, combined with generalized nonspecific inflammation, coagulation disturbances, and erythrocytic stasis in capillaries, contributes to the pathogenesis.
Prevention and Control
Steps can be taken to reduce the risk of babesiosis and other tick-borne infections. The use of preventive measures is especially important for those who are at increased risk of severe babesiosis (for example, those who do not have a spleen). The best defense is to avoid exposure to tick habitats.
Babesia microti is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks, which are mostly found in forest, brush, or grassy areas, in certain regions and seasons. There is no vaccine available to protect people from babesiosis. However, people who live, work or travel to tick-infested areas can take simple steps to help protect themselves from tick bites and tick-borne infections.
During outdoor activities in tick habitats, take precautions to keep ticks away from the skin.
- Walk on cleared trails and stay in the center of the trail, to minimize contact with leaf litter, brush, and overgrown grass, where ticks are most likely to be found.
- Minimize the amount of exposed skin by wearing socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck pant legs into socks, so ticks can’t crawl inside the pants. Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see and remove ticks before they attach to the skin.
- Apply repellent to skin and clothing. Follow the directions on product label.
- Products containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta toluamide) can be applied directly to exposed skin and clothing, to help keep ticks away (by repelling them). The product label includes details on how and where to apply the repellent, how often to reapply it, and how to safely use it on children.
- Permethrin products can be applied to clothing/shoes (not skin), actually kill ticks that come into contact with the treated clothing. And usually remain effective through multiple washes.