Emerging Human Babesiosis with “Ground Zero” in North America

Yang, Yi; Christie, Jevan; Köster, Liza S.; Du, Aifang; Yao, Chaoqun

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9020440

Cited by 30 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…and the impact they have on human and wildlife health, especially as new Babesia spp. are frequently discovered and the incidence of human babesiosis cases has increased significantly over the past decade [ 56 ]. Haemaphysalis concinna is a suspected vector of piroplasms [ 57 , 58 ], the primary hosts of which have been identified in several studies as small- and medium-sized mammals and birds [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Protozoans in Austria Revealed through the Use of Dogs as Sentinels for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

et al. 2021

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We previously isolated and cultivated the novel Rickettsia raoultii strain Jongejan. This prompted us to ask whether this strain is unique or more widely present in Austria. To assess this issue, we retrospectively screened ticks collected from dogs in 2008. Of these collected ticks, we randomly selected 75 (47 females and 28 males) Dermacentor reticulatus, 44 (21 females, 7 males, and 16 nymphs) Haemaphysalis concinna, and 55 (52 females and 3 males) ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. Subsequently, these ticks were individually screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens using the reverse line blot hybridization assay. In our current study, we detected DNA from the following microbes in D. reticulatus: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia valaisiana, and R. raoultii, all of which were R. raoultii strain Jongejan. In H. concinna, we found DNA of a Babesia sp., Rickettsia helvetica, and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli. Lastly, I. ricinus was positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii/Borrelia bavariensis, B. lusitaniae, B. spielmanii, B. valaisiana, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, and Theileria (Babesia) microti DNA. The detection of DNA of the Babesia sp. and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli, both found in H. concinna ticks, is novel for Austria.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Protozoans in Austria Revealed through the Use of Dogs as Sentinels for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

et al. 2021

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“…Almost all 18S rRNA sequences of B. venatorum from roe deer ( C. capreolus ) are identical to the first human isolates, with the few exceptions differing by one or two nucleotides, and there can be little doubt that roe deer is the main reservoir host of B. venatorum in Europe. It is also interesting to note that B. venatorum is not restricted to Europe and approximately 50 cases have been diagnosed in China [ 18 ], with the available 18S rRNA sequences being identical to the original European isolates or differing by only one or two nucleotides. The suspected but unconfirmed vector and reservoir hosts are Ixodes persulcatus and sika deer, or Cervus nippon , respectively [ 19 ].…”

Section: Parasite Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Babesiosis in Europe

et al. 2021

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Babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. The first case of human babesiosis in Europe was described in the late 1950s and since then more than 60 cases have been reported in Europe. While the disease is relatively rare in Europe, it is significant because the majority of cases present as life-threatening fulminant infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Although appearing clinically similar to human babesiosis elsewhere, particularly in the USA, most European forms of the disease are distinct entities, especially concerning epidemiology, human susceptibility to infection and clinical management. This paper describes the history of the disease and reviews all published cases that have occurred in Europe with regard to the identity and genetic characteristics of the etiological agents, pathogenesis, aspects of epidemiology including the eco-epidemiology of the vectors, the clinical courses of infection, diagnostic tools and clinical management and treatment.

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“…Particularly Babesia species from clade X are of economic importance in the livestock industry [8,9]. In addition, both clades comprise some species that are considered zoonotic and can affect human health [10,11]. However, it should be noted that within the designated Babesia species, genetic variants exist that might confer their zoonotic potential [12][13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The majority of human cases of babesiosis have been caused by B. microti in the United States, with an (under)estimated incidence of 2000 cases per year [22], followed by Canada and China [11]. In contrast, the number of reported cases in Europe has remained low [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circulation of Babesia Species and Their Exposure to Humans through Ixodes ricinus

et al. 2021

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Human babesiosis in Europe has been attributed to infection with Babesia divergens and, to a lesser extent, with Babesia venatorum and Babesia microti, which are all transmitted to humans through a bite of Ixodes ricinus. These Babesia species circulate in the Netherlands, but autochthonous human babesiosis cases have not been reported so far. To gain more insight into the natural sources of these Babesia species, their presence in reservoir hosts and in I. ricinus was examined. Moreover, part of the ticks were tested for co-infections with other tick borne pathogens. In a cross-sectional study, qPCR-detection was used to determine the presence of Babesia species in 4611 tissue samples from 27 mammalian species and 13 bird species. Reverse line blotting (RLB) and qPCR detection of Babesia species were used to test 25,849 questing I. ricinus. Fragments of the 18S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from PCR-positive isolates were sequenced for confirmation and species identification and species-specific PCR reactions were performed on samples with suspected mixed infections. Babesia microti was found in two widespread rodent species: Myodes glareolus and Apodemus sylvaticus, whereas B. divergens was detected in the geographically restricted Cervus elaphus and Bison bonasus, and occasionally in free-ranging Ovis aries. B. venatorum was detected in the ubiquitous Capreolus capreolus, and occasionally in free-ranging O. aries. Species-specific PCR revealed co-infections in C. capreolus and C. elaphus, resulting in higher prevalence of B. venatorum and B. divergens than disclosed by qPCR detection, followed by 18S rDNA and COI sequencing. The non-zoonotic Babesia species found were Babesia capreoli, Babesia vulpes, Babesia sp. deer clade, and badger-associated Babesia species. The infection rate of zoonotic Babesia species in questing I. ricinus ticks was higher for Babesia clade I (2.6%) than Babesia clade X (1.9%). Co-infection of B. microti with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Neoehrlichia mikurensis in questing nymphs occurred more than expected, which reflects their mutual reservoir hosts, and suggests the possibility of co-transmission of these three pathogens to humans during a tick bite. The ubiquitous spread and abundance of B. microti and B. venatorum in their reservoir hosts and questing ticks imply some level of human exposure through tick bites. The restricted distribution of the wild reservoir hosts for B. divergens and its low infection rate in ticks might contribute to the absence of reported autochthonous cases of human babesiosis in the Netherlands.

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Emerging Human Babesiosis with “Ground Zero” in North America

Cited by 30 publications

References 81 publications

Novel Protozoans in Austria Revealed through the Use of Dogs as Sentinels for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

Novel Protozoans in Austria Revealed through the Use of Dogs as Sentinels for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

Human Babesiosis in Europe

Circulation of Babesia Species and Their Exposure to Humans through Ixodes ricinus

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