A QUICK GUIDE TO BABESIA AND BABESIOSIS.

all you need to know about Babesiosis as a medical student

1. BABESIA

2. Introduction Babesia are haemoprotozoan parasites found in the RBCs of the hosts and morphologically resemble plasmodium. Babesia was first observed by Babes in 1988 from the blood of a cattle ( Thank you Babes) Babesia belongs to Kingdom: Chromalveolata, Phylum:Apicomplexa, Class: Aconoidasida, Order: piroplasmida, Family: Babesiidae and Genus Babesia. This genus comprises of over 100 species (Chauvin et al.,2009) Causes Babesiosis

3. What is Babesiosis? Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Other names of this disease include: Prioplasmosis, Red water and Cattle tick fever. It primarily infects the red blood cells of mammals, including humans, causing hemolytic anemia. The disease can range from mild to severe, with symptoms varying from flu-like illness to life-threatening complications.

4. Causative Agents Babesiosis is caused by various species and subspecies of the genus Babesia. Common species include: Babesia microti , Babesia divergens , Babesia duncani , Babesia venatorum . Babesia bovis B. bigemina Geographic distribution varies, with some species prevalent in specific regions. For example, B. microti is found mainly in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States, while B. divergens is more common in Europe.

5. Geographic Distribution Babesiosis is found worldwide, with varying levels of prevalence in different regions.. In the United States, Babesia microti is the most common strain associated with humans Bovine babesiosis is endemic in the three areas, with the presence of both B. bovis and B. bigemina registered in South Africa and Mozambique, while exclusively B. bigemina is endemic in Angola. Common areas of infection in Kenya include regions with high tick populations, such as forests and grasslands.

6. Transmission Babesia parasites are primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Ticks of the Ixodes genus are the primary vectors for human babesiosis. In rare cases, transmission can also occur through blood transfusions or from mother to fetus during pregnancy No person to person transmission.

7. Life Cycle Babesia life cycle consist of merogony, gamogony, and sporogony The life cycle of Babesia involves both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Ticks acquire the parasite by feeding on infected hosts. Inside the tick, the parasite undergoes various developmental stages before being transmitted to a new host during a subsequent blood meal

8. Pathogenesis Babesia parasites invade and multiply within red blood cells, leading to their destruction. This results in hemolytic anemia and various other complications, especially in individuals with compromised immune systems.

9. Clinical Manifestations Symptoms of babesiosis can vary widely, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe illness. Common symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and jaundice. Severe cases may lead to organ failure, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying health conditions.

10. Clinical Diagnosis Diagnosis of babesiosis is often based on clinical symptoms and confirmed through laboratory tests. Blood smears can be examined under a microscope to detect the presence of Babesia parasites within red blood cells. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can also be used to identify the parasite's DNA in blood samples.

11. Laboratory diagnosis Laboratory diagnosis of babesiosis involves various tests, including blood smears, PCR, and serological assays. Blood smears are examined for the presence of intraerythrocytic parasites. PCR tests can detect Babesia DNA with high sensitivity and specificity. Serological assays measure antibodies against Babesia parasites, indicating past or current infection.

12. Treatment of Babesiosis Most asymptomatic patients don't need treatment. Treatment of Babesiosis typically involves the use of antiparasitic medications, such as Atovaquone plus azithromycin or clindamycin plus quinine (For at least 7-10 days) The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the patient's medical history. Supportive care, including blood transfusions and hydration, mechanical ventilation and dialysis , may be necessary in severe cases.

13. Prevention and Control Preventive measures for babesiosis include avoiding tick-infested areas, wearing protective clothing, and using insect repellents. Regular tick checks and prompt removal of attached ticks can help prevent transmission. Blood screening protocols can reduce the risk of transfusion-associated babesiosis. Public health education and awareness campaigns play a crucial role in preventing the spread of the disease.

14. QUESTION ONE Which tick facilitates the transmission of Babesiosis?

15. QUESTION TWO Which arm of the adaptive immune system is effective in addressing Babesiosis?

16. QUESTION THREE How can you differentiate Babesiosis from malaria?

17. QUESTION FOUR Why are there few reported cases of Babesiosis in Kenya?

18. QUESTION FIVE Which other pathogens are transmissible by ticks, similar to Babesiosis?

19. KONGOI!!!!