Babesiosis (Babesia microti) is a malaria like parasitic disease caused by “Babesia”, a genus of protozoan piroplasms. Babesiosis exists as a variety of diseases in 3 distinct groups:
(1) asymptomatic infection,
(2) a mild/moderate viral-like syndrome, and
(3) severe disease that causes persistent relapsing course or fulminant course leading in death.
The disease is a vector borne sickness commonly transmitted by Ixodid ticks. Babesiosis is a zoonotic disease maintained by the interaction of tick vectors, host migration, and animal sources. It is common in endemic regions of the north eastern and north western America, especially Long Island, New York, and Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Babesiosis also occurs in regions of Europe and Asia, where the tick vector and vertebrate host reside.
Babesia
Babesia microti employs the similar tick vector, Ixodes scapularis similar to Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis, and could occur in conjunction with these other diseases. Babesia parasites multiply in red blood cells, where they can be seen as cross shaped inclusions and cause haemolytic anaemia similar to malaria. Babesia canis and babesia bigemina are “large babesias” that form paired merozoites in the erythrocytes , normally depicted as resembling “2 pears attached together”, rather than the “Maltese Cross” of the “small babesias”.
Ticks
Ticks and tickborne bacterial diseases in humans are an emerging infectious threat. Ticks can express both babesiosis and Lyme disease. Ticks can carry the babesia microti parasite in the red blood cells of many creatures, including man. Ticks ingest babesia while feeding from the host animal and the parasite multiplies within the tick’s gut wall. Ticks found before attachment should obviously be removed, while ticks found after attachment should also be removed to limit the possibility of transmission within 24 hour after attachment.
Symptoms
Symptoms tend to be more evident and grievous in immunocompromised persons. Symptoms are related to RBC parasitaemia. The symptoms begin with fatigue, loss of appetite, and a common ill feeling. The symptoms of babesiosis frequently do not lead directly to the underlying diagnosis and many symptoms can be misleading. Other symptoms include high fever (up to 40 degree Celsius (or 104 degree F), chills, diaphoresis, helplessness, fatigue, anorexia and headache.
