BABESIA

Babesia are tiny parasites that infect and reproduce within red blood cells of mammals. It is primarily transmitted through the saliva of a tick when it bites. This results to the infection called Babesiosis.

More than 100 species of Babesia have been identified but only a few have been found to cause human diseases. In the United States, Babesia microti is the primary agent of human babesiosis and is transmitted by the same tick species that vectors Lyme disease - Ixodes scapularis or  Eastern blacklegged tick.

The disease can also be transmitted via blood transfusion and maternal-fetal transmission

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may vary depending on severity. Some people are asymptomatic and some may experience flu-like symptoms. However, there are also cases that are life-threatening.

From Healthline

The infection most often starts with a high fever, chills, muscle or joint aches, and fatigue.

Less common symptoms include:

  • severe headache
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • skin bruising
  • yellowing of your skin and eyes
  • mood changes

Chest or hip pain, shortness of breath, and drenching sweats can also be experienced as the infection progresses.

Complications can include:

  • very low blood pressure
  • liver problems
  • breakdown of red blood cells, known as hemolytic anemia
  • kidney failure>
  • heart failure

DIAGNOSIS

Conventional blood tests can be done followed by a microscopic examination of blood smears. In the early stages, there may be a very low level of parasitemia in the blood resulting to a negative which is why the process may be repeated over several days.

If Babesiosis is suspected, doctors may order an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) and/or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the blood sample to complete the diagnosis.

TREATMENT

In mild to moderate cases, antiparasitic drugs such as Atovaquone plus azithromycin are taken for 7 to 10 days. An alternative regimen is clindamycin plus quinine.

Treatment of severe disease usually consists of azithromycin given intravenously plus oral atovaquone or clindamycin given intravenously plus oral quinine. Additional measures are taken in case of other other severe illness.

If relapses occur after treatment and symptoms arise again, re-treatment must be done and for some cases, for a longer period of time to rid of the infection.

The Lyme Connection

From Healthline

The same tick that carries the Babesia parasite can also carry the corkscrew-shaped bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.

A 2016 study found that up to one-fifth of people diagnosed with Lyme were also infected with Babesia. Researchers also found that the babesiosis often went undiagnosed.

According to the CDC, most cases of babesiosis occur in New England, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. These are states where Lyme disease is also prevalent, though Lyme is also prevalent elsewhere.

The symptoms of babesiosis are similar to those of Lyme disease. Coinfection with Lyme and Babesia can cause the symptoms of both to be more severe.