Detection and characterization of an emerging type of Babesia sp. similar to Babesia motasi for the first case of human babesiosis and ticks in Korea

Abstract

Babesiosis is a tick-transmitted intraerythrocytic zoonosis. In Korea, the first mortalities were reported in 2005 due to Babesia sp. detection in sheep; herein we report epidemiological and genetic characteristics of a second case of babesiosis. Microscopic analysis of patient blood revealed polymorphic merozoites. To detect Babesia spp., PCR was performed using Babesia specific primers for β-tubulin, 18S rDNA, COB, and COX3 gene fragments. 18S rDNA analysis for Babesia sp., showed 98% homology with ovine Babesia sp. and with Babesia infections in Korea in 2005. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA, COB, and COX3 revealed close associations with B. motasi . For identifying the infectious agent, Haemaphysalis longicornis (296) and Haemaphysalis flava (301) were collected around the previous residence of the babesiosis patient. Babesia genes were identified in three H. longicornis : one sample was identified as B. microti and two samples were 98% homologous to B. motasi . Our study is the first direct confirmation of the infectious agent for human babesiosis. This case most likely resulted from tick bites from ticks near the patient house of the babesiosis patient. H. longicornis has been implicated as a vector of B. microti and other Babesia sp. infections.

Rapid Detection of Babesia motasi Responsible for Human Babesiosis by Cross-priming Amplification Combined with a Vertical Flow

“…As a causative agent responsible for human babesiosis, the first case caused by B. motasi-like was reported in Korea in 2005 [31]. Recently, infection with B. motasi was diagnosed in a 70-year-old man in Korea [34]. Moreover, it is the most prevalent pathogen among vector ticks and host animals on the basis of serological and molecular epidemiological investigations conducted in China [24].…”

Molecular Characterization of Haemaphysalis Species and a Molecular Genetic Key for the Identification of Haemaphysalis of North America

“…Native to East Asia, H. longicornis has become invasive in multiple regions of the world, largely due to its parthenogenetic reproduction, broad habitat use, and high diversity of avian and mammalian hosts (3)(4)(5). In the native range of H. longicornis, numerous bacterial, protozoal, and viral pathogens have been detected within this tick, including Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and spotted fever group Rickettsia (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Many of these pathogens are zoonotic in nature, thus this tick is of significant importance to both human and animal health.…”

Rapid Detection of Babesia motasi Responsible for Human Babesiosis by Cross-priming Amplification Combined with a Vertical Flow

“…Predominately, three Babesia spp., Babesia microti, B. divergens, and B. duncani, have been described to be involved in human infections in the United States, Europe, and Asia [4,5]. Recently, two newly emerging Babesia species, named as B. motasi and B. crassa, which were previously reported as causative agents of ovine babesiaosis, have been sporadically reported in cases of human babesiosis in Asia [6,7,8,9,10]. As a causative agent responsible for human babesiosis, the rst case caused by B. motasi-like was reported in Korea in 2005 [11].…”

“…As a causative agent responsible for human babesiosis, the rst case caused by B. motasi-like was reported in Korea in 2005 [11]. Recently, infected with B. motasi was diagnosed in a 70-year-old man in Korea [12].…”