Babesiosis
Parasitic infection
Many possible symptoms
May resemble other diseases
Unreliable tests
Often inappropriate treatments
Can become chronic
Babesiosis
-
Parasitic infection
-
Many possible symptoms
-
May resemble other diseases
-
Unreliable tests
-
Often inappropriate treatments
-
Can become chronic
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THE INFECTION
What is babesiosis?
Babesiosis is an infectious disease similar to malaria, caused by parasites of the Babesia genus (B. microti, B. duncani, B. odocoilei, etc.) transmitted mainly by ticks, but also by transfusion, perinatal transmission or transplantation [1].
This disease, well known and studied in the USA, is rarely investigated in patients in Europe after a tick bite, as it is considered rare there. This, together with the unreliability of tests, means that this disease is probably under-diagnosed [2].
More than 100 Babesia species have been discovered, and 9 can cause infections in humans. The species endemic to the USA (B. microti, B. duncani) are the most extensively studied compared to other species (B. divergens, B. venatorum, B. odocoilei) generally found in Europe. Their pathogenicity, more specifically in the context of chronic diseases, is still poorly understood [2-3].
A major infection:
Babesia is one of a number of infectious pathogens that can be transmitted by tick bites. When other pathogens are present in addition to Babesia, it is referred to as "co-infections" [3-4-5]. In many cases, it is the combination of these different pathogens in the same patient, as well as the complex immune response to their simultaneous presence, that is responsible for the severe and disabling chronic symptoms [7-8].
How is it transmitted?
The various Babesia species are most often transmitted to humans by ticks. These parasites are found in all three stages of tick development: larva, nymph and adult (see photo below). So, you can be bitten by Babesia-infected larvae (transovarial transmission), which hatch in the summer of one year, or by nymphs in the spring or adults in the fall of the following year (2-year reproduction cycle).
Infected people sometimes don't remember a bite, specifically because the larvae and nymphs are very small (about the size of a poppy seed) [1-2].
In addition to the spread of Babesia via ticks, these parasites can infect humans through blood transfusions from infected blood donors, who are not required to be screened for Babesia in Europe. Parasites can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth [1-2].
What is the prevalence in Switzerland?
There are as yet no studies on the prevalence of Babesia infections in humans in Switzerland. However, publications have shown that between 0.2 and 1.7% of ticks in Switzerland carry a Babesia species [9].
European averages are 3.3% in France, 2.2% in Germany, and up to 51% in a publication from Austria [10].
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