Babesiosis: Problems in Diagnosis Using Autoanalyzers

Bruckner, David A.; Garcia, Lynne S.; Shimizu, Robyn Y.; Goldstein, Ellie J. C.; Murray, Patricia M.; Lazar, Gary

doi:10.1093/ajcp/83.4.520

Cited by 27 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…IFAT can be used, however, for retrospective evaluation of human cases by distinguishing B. divergens from Plasmodium falciparum, B. microti, and WA1 (a newly recognized species first detected in a patient from Washington State) with which it has only limited cross-reactivity (93,176). Blood autoanalyzers are unable to distinguish between uninfected erythrocytes and those infected with babesia (21). Molecular diagnostic tools, though not yet routinely used, are very promising.…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

et al. 2003

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Babesia divergens is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite, transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus, and is the main agent of bovine babesiosis in Europe. It is not only a cause of significant loss to the cattle industry; it can also infect immunocompromised humans, causing medical emergencies characterized by rapid fulmination and parasitemias that may exceed 70%. The current emphasis in Europe on sustainable agriculture and extensification is likely to lead to an increase in vector tick populations with increased risk of infection. Despite the veterinary and zoonotic importance of this parasite, relatively little research has been carried out on B. divergens, and many questions regarding the parasite's epidemiology and the host's response remain unanswered. A better understanding of the species' biology and host-parasite interactions may lead to improved control mechanisms and new trends in vaccine and antibabesial drug development. This review provides the first comprehensive summary of B. divergens biology, including its morphology, life cycle, and host specificity, and the current state of knowledge of both human and bovine infections

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Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

et al. 2003

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“…In all cases due to infections with Babesia spp. (both B. microti and B. divergens), blood autoanalyzers might not differentiate between infected and uninfected erythrocytes (21). There have been several cases in which the patient has been initially diagnosed with malaria, which resulted in delayed appropriate treatment, which for serious cases (e.g., B. divergens infections) might prove fatal.…”

Section: Hematologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesiosis

et al. 2000

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SUMMARY Babesiosis is an emerging, tick-transmitted, zoonotic disease caused by hematotropic parasites of the genus Babesia. Babesial parasites (and those of the closely related genus Theileria) are some of the most ubiquitous and widespread blood parasites in the world, second only to the trypanosomes, and consequently have considerable worldwide economic, medical, and veterinary impact. The parasites are intraerythrocytic and are commonly called piroplasms due to the pear-shaped forms found within infected red blood cells. The piroplasms are transmitted by ixodid ticks and are capable of infecting a wide variety of vertebrate hosts which are competent in maintaining the transmission cycle. Studies involving animal hosts other than humans have contributed significantly to our understanding of the disease process, including possible pathogenic mechanisms of the parasite and immunological responses of the host. To date, there are several species of Babesia that can infect humans, Babesia microti being the most prevalent. Infections with Babesia species generally follow regional distributions; cases in the United States are caused primarily by B. microti, whereas cases in Europe are usually caused by Babesia divergens. The spectrum of disease manifestation is broad, ranging from a silent infection to a fulminant, malaria-like disease, resulting in severe hemolysis and occasionally in death. Recent advances have resulted in the development of several diagnostic tests which have increased the level of sensitivity in detection, thereby facilitating diagnosis, expediting appropriate patient management, and resulting in a more accurate epidemiological description.

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“…Therefore, for effective treatment of B. gibsoni, an alternative chemotherapeutic agent having few side effects is urgently needed. Clindamycin has been successfully used for the treatment of B. microti infection in hamsters and humans, and for the treatment B. canis infection in dogs [5,9,14,18]. Our previous studies indicated that clindamycin was successful for the treatment of B. rodhaini infection in mice, and might induce resistance to challenge infection in cured mice [21].…”

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confidence: 99%

Lymphocyte Subsets and Specific IgG Antibody Levels in Clindamycin-Treated and Untreated Dogs Experimentally Infected with Babesia gibsoni

Wulansari

Wijaya

Ano

et al. 2003

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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ABSTRACT. This study was carried out to clarify the role of lymphocyte subpopulations and Babesia-specific antibody on the treatment of clindamycin in dogs infected with B. gibsoni. Ten beagle dogs were divided into two groups: an untreated group (5 dogs) and a clindamycin-treated group (5 dogs), which was administered clindamycin at 25 mg/ kg body weight, per os, q 12 hr from 7 days to 21 d ays post-infection (PI). On the acute stage of infection, clindamycin treatment resolved anaemia and other clinical findings. There were no significant differences between treated and untreated dogs either in parasitemia levels or Babesial IgG antibody levels. However, morphological changes that indicated degeneration in the majority of parasites were observed. The numbers of CD4 + showed a significant increase in treated dogs, especially after treatment. On the chronic stage, CD4 + cells maintained high level both of the treated and untreated dogs. Although parasitemia maintained low level, their relapses were occurred on the 49th day PI in treated dogs and on the 42nd and 63rd PI in untreated dogs. A rapid humoral antibody response was observed in treated dogs, however, lower humoral anti body responses in untreated dogs after relapses. The antibody levels of treated dogs were significantly higher than those of untreated dogs. These results suggested that clindamycin might not eliminate rapidly parasites from peripheral blood, but damage parasites, whic h might stimulate efficiently humoral and cellular immunity against Babesia infection, and result in an improvement of clinical conditions.

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Babesiosis: Problems in Diagnosis Using Autoanalyzers

Cited by 27 publications

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Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

Babesia divergens , a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance

Babesiosis

Lymphocyte Subsets and Specific IgG Antibody Levels in Clindamycin-Treated and Untreated Dogs Experimentally Infected with Babesia gibsoni

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