Probable Congenital Babesiosis in Infant, New Jersey, USA

Sethi, Shruti; Alcid, David V.; Kesarwala, Hemant; Tolan, Robert W.

doi:10.3201/eid1505.070808

Cited by 50 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…While rare, B. microti has been shown to be transmitted transplacentally or perinatally on at least three occasions (25,90,109). In all three cases, the pregnant mother was bitten by a tick during her third trimester and developed serological evidence of infection.…”

Section: Routes Of Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Transfusion-TransmittedBabesiaspp.: Bull's-Eye onBabesia microti

2011

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SUMMARY Babesia spp. are intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites of animals and humans that cause babesiosis, a zoonotic disease transmitted primarily by tick vectors. Although a variety of species or types of Babesia have been described in the literature as causing infection in humans, the rodent parasite Babesia microti has emerged as the focal point of human disease, especially in the United States. Not only has B. microti become established as a public health concern, this agent is increasingly being transmitted by blood transfusion: estimates suggest that between 70 and 100 cases of transfusion-transmitted Babesia (TTB) have occurred over the last 30 years. A recent upsurge in TTB cases attributable to B. microti , coupled with at least 12 fatalities in transfusion recipients diagnosed with babesiosis, has elevated TTB to a key policy issue in transfusion medicine. Despite clarity on a need to mitigate transmission risk, few options are currently available to prevent the transmission of B. microti by blood transfusion. Future mitigation efforts may stress serological screening of blood donors in regionalized areas of endemicity, with adjunct nucleic acid testing during the summer months, when acute infections are prevalent. However, several hurdles remain, including the absence of a licensed blood screening assay and a thorough cost-benefit analysis of proposed interventions. Despite current obstacles, continued discussion of TTB without proactive intervention is no longer a viable alternative.

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Section: Routes Of Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Transfusion-TransmittedBabesiaspp.: Bull's-Eye onBabesia microti

2011

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“…To our knowledge, only one possible case of congenital Babesia infection has occurred (515). As such, congenital Babesia infection is an extremely rare event, if it occurs at all.…”

Section: Babesia Sppmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This could allow the transfer of T. brucei, Babesia, or Leishmania infections from mother to neonate. Even so, congenital infections with Babesia (515), Leishmania (52), and T. brucei (480) are uncommon compared to congenital infections with Toxoplasma and T. cruzi.…”

Section: Nonenteric Protozoa In Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

et al. 2010

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SUMMARY There are many neglected nonenteric protozoa able to cause serious morbidity and mortality in humans, particularly in the developing world. Diseases caused by certain protozoa are often more severe in the presence of HIV. While information regarding neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids and Plasmodium is abundant, these protozoa are often not a first consideration in Western countries where they are not endemic. As such, diagnostics may not be available in these regions. Due to global travel and immigration, this has become an increasing problem. Inversely, in certain parts of the world (particularly sub-Saharan Africa), the HIV problem is so severe that diseases like microsporidiosis and toxoplasmosis are common. In Western countries, due to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), these diseases are infrequently encountered. While free-living amoebae are rarely encountered in a clinical setting, when infections do occur, they are often fatal. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to the survival of patients infected with these organisms. This paper reviews information on the diagnosis and treatment of nonenteric protozoal diseases in immunocompromised people, with a focus on patients infected with HIV. The nonenteric microsporidia, some trypanosomatids, Toxoplasma spp., Neospora spp., some free-living amoebae, Plasmodium spp., and Babesia spp. are discussed.

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“…The increase in the occurrence of TTB cases resulted in babesiosis in the United States becoming a nationally reported disease in 2011 (157). Vertical transmission of Babesia microti has been reported (158)(159)(160)(161)(162). Given the overlap of competent vectors, coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi is common, and Lyme disease patients have a significantly higher risk of babesiosis in both Europe and the United States (117).…”

Section: Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

2013

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SUMMARYOver 77 million dogs and 93 million cats share our households in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of pets in their owners' physical and mental health. Given the large number of companion animals in the United States and the proximity and bond of these animals with their owners, understanding and preventing the diseases that these companions bring with them are of paramount importance. Zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, Chagas' disease, babesiosis, giardiasis, and leishmaniasis, can cause insidious infections, with asymptomatic animals being capable of transmitting disease.GiardiaandToxoplasma gondii, endemic to the United States, have high prevalences in companion animals.LeishmaniaandTrypanosoma cruziare found regionally within the United States. These diseases have lower prevalences but are significant sources of human disease globally and are expanding their companion animal distribution. Thankfully, healthy individuals in the United States are protected by intact immune systems and bolstered by good nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene. Immunocompromised individuals, including the growing number of obese and/or diabetic people, are at a much higher risk of developing zoonoses. Awareness of these often neglected diseases in all health communities is important for protecting pets and owners. To provide this awareness, this review is focused on zoonotic protozoal mechanisms of virulence, epidemiology, and the transmission of pathogens of consequence to pet owners in the United States.

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Probable Congenital Babesiosis in Infant, New Jersey, USA

Cited by 50 publications

References 9 publications

Transfusion-TransmittedBabesiaspp.: Bull's-Eye onBabesia microti

Transfusion-TransmittedBabesiaspp.: Bull's-Eye onBabesia microti

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

Transmission and Epidemiology of Zoonotic Protozoal Diseases of Companion Animals

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