Changes in blood cells in infected dogs by Babesia canis, 2006
О.V. Semenko, M.P. Prus The article is in Ukranian. I'm still translating it but so far the main finnding is that chronic stage babesiosis is characterized by 'pronounced' monocytosis and lymphocytosis.
If your monocytes and lymphocytes are elevated it could be a result of babesial infection, could be not.
Interesting - those who responded to antibabesial therapy seen any changes in the blood analysis?
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
thanks for sharing... so far my neutrophils are the only thing that are elevated.
Posted by babesman (Member # 14003) on :
Yes -also 'neutrophilosis' with 'nucleous to the left'something (changes in morphology) - was found - i missed that part somehow. In general it's neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocyts. All cells undergo changes in morphology, RBC suffer most of course.
Infected erythocytes are eaten by monos and lymphs.
Elevated neutrophils are characteristic of the acute stage (could be days or weeks or months sort of reccurent as far as I understand- might be mistaken here), then neutro fall a bit with --mono and lymphs becoming chronically elevated --- fagocytising RBC's on constant basis.
Whether or not it;s necessary in human host i'm not quite sure either.
Posted by arc35476 (Member # 12786) on :
Interesting! I have continued to have elevated neutrophils, LOW lymphocyte, and abnormal RBC morphology. Is this related to the Lyme? The doctors here continue to run tests because my body will not store iron. I have been on iron supplements for over a year. They are talking about doing a bone marrow tap. . . and are looking into rare chronic cancers as the cause. But could this also be related to the Lyme? I think I will post a new thread and see if anyone else has had this problem.
Posted by JRWagner (Member # 3229) on :
arc...NOT the Lyme component but rather the Babesia. Google Babesia and check out the facts.
Peace, Love and Wellness, JRW
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
I think i have some low-level chronic babesia symptoms, which stopped as soon as i started Artemesia annua(although i can only fit it into my schedule 1x/day instead of 3),
but my monocytes are unbudgingly low. Low for at least a year or more.
Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :
I on the other hand am convinced I have babesia yet my blood work is extremely normal!?
go figure!
zman
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Found this interesting abstract -- babesia as a cause of hyper-eosinophilia.
Letters
Are Various Babesia Species a Missed Cause for Hypereosinophilia? A Follow-up on the First Reported Case of Imatinib Mesylate for Idiopathic Hypereosinophilia
Posted 02/27/2007
James L. Schaller, MD, MAR; Glenn A. Burkland, DMD; PJ Langhoff
Author Information
Background
When Drs. Schaller and Burkland were sent readers' responses to their 2001 MedGenMed article "Rapid and Complete Control of Idiopathic Hypereosinophilia With Imatinib Mesylate", they submitted the following reply as an update.
Abstract
Introduction: In 2001 we reported the first case of use of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) for treatment of idiopathic hypereosinophilia syndrome (HES). These findings have been replicated in some patients with HES.
After 1 year of taking imatinib, the patient stopped this medication, and during the last 5 years the patient has not experienced a relapse.
He has, however, recently been diagnosed with babesiosis. This new diagnosis might relate to his HES.
Methods: After 6 years we decided to follow up on this patient's treatment. We interviewed the patient, his son, his aunt, and 2 consulting physicians and also reviewed relevant laboratory results to determine whether his HES had returned and whether his residual morbidity had changed.
Results: The patient has had no relapse of HES and his eosinophil counts have remained low-normal. He was recently diagnosed with babesiosis, and was prescribed atovaquone and azithromycin with a significant decrease in morbidity. His eosinophil cationic protein levels have also fallen to low-normal since starting atovaquone and azithromycin.
Discussion: New Babesia species are emerging as human infections. Most do not have available antibody or polymerase chain reaction diagnostic testing at this time.
Manual differential examinations are of variable utility due to low numbers of infected red blood cells, suboptimal technique, and limited experience. Therefore, a diagnosis might need to be empirical at times, and should be based on signs and symptoms.
Conclusion: The patient has not relapsed in the 5 years that he has not been taking imatinib. Babesiosis should be added to the many possible causes of HES. It is unknown how often babesiosis causes HES as well as what percentage of HES patients have babesiosis.
Readers are encouraged to respond to the author at [email protected] or to Paul Blumenthal, MD, Deputy Editor of MedGenMed, for the editor's eyes only or for possible publication via email: [email protected]
***
From a different article on the immune system (cause I am no expert on the immune system", "The granulocyte group includes basophils and eisonophils, which handle parasites in the lungs and skin, and produce histamine, which stimulates inflammation. Also included are neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cell in the body and adept hunters and slayers of pathogens."