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

Abstract

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

Longitudinal field study on bovine Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections during a grazing season in Belgium

“…Indeed, 17 cattle and five ticks demonstrated evidence of coinfection. It is known that coinfection of livestock, synchronous or not, with TBD can exacerbate disease morbidity and reduce host fitness (Zintl et al 2003). Furthermore recent studies have provided evidence that interaction between tick-borne pathogen populations can influence TBD epidemiology.…”

“…While the infection rates of both adult and nymph ticks will be influenced by the level of Babesia infection in the mammalian host, the known amplification of parasite in the tick salivary gland following a blood meal may increase the chances of detection by the PCR test. Furthermore, the adult population will be comprised of ticks that are transmitting and acquiring infection from a definitive host for Babesia, while the infection level in the nymph population will be predominately derived from adult female ticks (Zintl et al 2003) that could, theoretically, have fed on a range of vertebrate hosts.…”

Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin – An epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation

“…Whether the few human infections which were attributed to B. divergens in the past (reviewed by Gray, 2006;Zintl et al, 2003) were caused by Babesia sp. EU1, B.…”

Babesia divergensbecoming extinct in cattle of Northeast Hungary: new data on the past and present situation

“…Due to its pathogenicity and widespread occurrence, B. divergens is the most important agent in the aetiology of bovine babesiosis in Europe. The significance of this species is further substantiated by its zoonotic potential, causing infections in humans, particularly in splenectomised individuals (for review see Zintl et al, 2003).…”

“…Several later accounts from these countries describe only sporadic infections or (seasonal) outbreaks, suggesting that the epidemiology might have changed over the past years (Zintl et al, 2003).…”