Babesia

Question 1

Describe Babesia.

Answer 1

Apiocomplexan similar in structure to Plasmodium.

Question 2

What is Babesia’s vector?

Answer 2

Ixodes scapularis (tick)

Question 3

Who is the most suseptible to Babesia?

Answer 3

• indivisuals older than 50
• diabetics
• immunocompromissed

Question 4

How is Babesia transmitted?

Answer 4

Main mode of transmission is by tick vector but it can be transmitted by blood transfusions and to a fetus transplacentally

Question 5

What are the symptoms of a Babiesa infection?

Answer 5

• fever (usually greater than 40 degrees)
• headache
• myalagia
• anorexia
• abdominal pain (if splenic rupture)

Question 6

How quickly do symptoms appear?

Answer 6

1-4 weeks after tick bite and usually a nymph must be attached for at least 36 hours for infection to occur

Question 7

Describe how Babesia causes disease?

Answer 7

• sporozoites injected by nymphoid ticks and attach to RBCS, the AMA1 (apical membrane antigen 1) on sporozoites attch to glycosylphosphatidyalinositol anchored proteins on RBC surface of the RBC. They then develop into trophozoites and undergo binary fission to make 2-4 merozoites and the release of them lead to hemolysis
• no exoerythrocytic stage

Question 8

How is Babesia diagnosed?

Answer 8

• Giemsa stained blood smears
• PCR
• Serology (test for blod antibodies to Babesia): long time Babesia infections will have IgM antibodies and IgG will up when paitents have been in contact with it but you dont necisarly know when)

Question 9

How do you treat Babeisa?

Answer 9

A combination with an antimalarial and a antibiotic like clindamycin or azithromycin

Question 10

Is there a vaccine for Babesia?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

How do you control the spread of Babesia?

Answer 11

Control of tick vectors and the testing of blood products