Martinot M, Zadeh MM, Hansmann Y, Grawey I, Christmann D, Aguillon S, Jouglin M, Chauvin A, De Briel D.
Service de M�decine Interne et Rhumatologie, H�pitaux Civils De Colmar, Colmar, France. [email protected]
Abstract
We report 2 cases of babesiosis in immunocompetent patients in France. A severe influenza-like disease developed in both patients 2 weeks after they had been bitten by ticks. Diagnosis was obtained from blood smears, and Babesia divergens was identified by PCR in 1 case. Babesiosis in Europe occurs in healthy patients, not only in splenectomized patients.
What struck me about this article is that the patients were obviously ill, but the percentage of infected babesia cells was very low -- .29% and .23% -- yes that is less than 1%.
And of course in the article the patients were considered "cured" when they could not find any more infected cells on the blood smears. Not a valid conclusion in my opinion.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I just can't understand how only 0.23% of your cells being infected could cause so much suffering. Makes no sense at all.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Well, depending on the validity of this research, this could explain how the severe flu I suffered 13 years ago.
My symptoms were minimal if any for a couple years after this flu bout. It wasn't until a few years later did symptoms start to become apparent. Even then, they were manageable and I could work for another 8 years.
I presume once infected even with such a small amount, the body becomes violently ill with foreign invaders. Then has some kind of tolerance built to help deal with invasion. I don't know, but I also don't understand how we can go so many years relatively symptom free with a blood parasite infection.
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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I thought of you when I posted this, because you have asked this question so many times in the past.
I think I remember reading that the Dr B says that a blood smear is only useful for diagnosing babs in the first 2 weeks after a tickbite. I am assuming that is because the parasites are no longer as active in the bloodstream.
They may be sequestered in the bone marrow or liver (not sure if this is absolutely proven or just speculation). Or more likely they have attached to the capillaries and are not moving around in the bloodstream.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
Wolfed, I worked for decades with a Babesia Duncani infection. Symptoms for that, Lyme, and Bartonella didn't become unmanageable for over 40 years.
Now that I know what is wrong I have traced symptoms back to childhood, but they were not severe by themselves.
Symptoms did gradually increase over time, and with stressors in my life, such as three pregnancies, returning to work full-time, divorce, surgery, etc.
Finally I could not stay awake and realized there was something really wrong with me, but it still took time to find a doctor who would even attempt to diagnose me.
Now I am finding it quite difficult to eradicate this strain of Babesia.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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