LymeNet Flash: Washington State Has Own Babesiosis

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Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

1: Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Apr;10(4):622-9. Related Articles, Links

Babesia divergens-like infection, Washington State.

Herwaldt BL, de Bruyn G, Pieniazek NJ, Homer M, Lofy KH, Slemenda SB, Fritsche TR, Persing DH, Limaye AP.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Most reported U.S. zoonotic cases of babesiosis have occurred in the Northeast and been caused by Babesia microti. In Washington State, three cases of babesiosis have been reported previously, which were caused by WA1 (for "Washington 1")-type parasites. We investigated a case of babesiosis in Washington in an 82-year-old man whose spleen had been removed and whose parasitemia level was 41.4%. The complete 18S ribosomal RNA gene of the parasite was amplified from specimens of his whole blood by polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed the parasite is most closely related, but not identical, to B. divergens (similarity score, 99.5%), a bovine parasite in Europe. By indirect fluorescent-antibody testing, his serum reacted to B. divergens but not to B. microti or WA1 antigens. This case demonstrates that babesiosis can be caused by novel parasites detectable by manual examination of blood smears but not by serologic or molecular testing for B. microti or WA1-type parasites.

PMID: 15200851 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

There is also WA1 which is in CA, too. This is another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Noob (Member # 7052) on :

Hope I don't sound like an idiot here, but does this show up on the western blot? My tick came from WA and I'm getting negatives so far.

Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :

A western blot is actually a test technique also used for other diseases, like hiv. So it is most correct to say Lyme Western Blot. No, babesia will not be picked up by a Lyme western blot. There are separate tests for all the co-infections. Since Babesia lives inside red blood cells in the bloodstream a PCR should be able to detect it. There is also an antibody test for babesia. PCR is not that useful for Lyme which is not often in the blood.

Posted by breathwork (Member # 567) on :

Why so you say that WA1 in CA is differnet than that in Washington?

FYI...The only lab that is licensed to test for WA1 is the Sononma County Health Dept. lab. IGenex sends its WA1 tests to Sonoma County for testing.

Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

The Babs in this abstract is *another* WA Babs, not WA1!!!

Posted by breathwork (Member # 567) on :

Having had a nap since my last post, I understand better what the article is saying. In my previously pooped state I scanned too quickly....Thanks for your patience!

Yes, my LLMD believes that here are many strains of babesia that we don't have a test for yet....If a patient presents as if he/she has babesia he treats for it, doesn't rely on blood work. Interestingly enough there is little cross reactivity between the strains as well.