Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that is caused by differetn types of Babesia parasites that infect red blood cells. The symptoms can present in a range of severities, and can impact the elderly and immunocompromised significantly. The initial symptoms, like fever, cough, chills, headache, and sweating, can resemble other illness, and babesiosis may be tough to diagnose. Antibiotics are not effective against the the parasitic disorder, however, so an accurate diagnosis is important.
Babesiosis has typically affected people in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, but a new report has found that the illness is expanding into new parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.
In a new study reported in the Journal of Medical Entomology, researchers analyzed ticks that were collected from parts of the District of Columbia (DC), Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The scientists were looking for the Babesia microti parasite in two types of ticks: blacklegged ticks, also known as Ixodes scapularis; and Ixodes keiransi ticks.
The study has also shown that the number of babesiosis cases is rising in these areas. For the first time, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia reported locally acquired babesiosis infections. The work showed that this infection may be a growing public health concern in these areas, where it was once not found.
The work also found that Ixodes keiransi ticks in these states carry Babesia microti, and could spread it to humans
"The findings underscore the need for increased surveillance, public awareness, and preventive measures against tick-borne diseases in the Mid-Atlantic region," said senior study author Ellen Stromdahl, Ph.D., a retired entomologist at the Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory. "Health care providers should consider babesiosis in the differential diagnosis for patients with febrile illness, particularly during peak tick-activity seasons."
When babesiosis occurs with another tick borne illness, Lyme disease, serious complications can arise. This research indicated that half of the ticks that carried B. microti also carried the pathogens that cause Lyme: B. burgdorferi. Other ticks carried additional microbes as well, and the study suggested that clinicians should start to consider the possibility of multiple infections in patients, which can complicate diagnostic efforts and treatment strategies.
Public health efforts like surveilling for these pathogens and illness is now becomign more important, along with raising awareness and education about babesiosis and other diseases.
Sources: Entomological Society of America, Journal of Medical Entomology
