Frequency of Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing for Borrelia burgdorferi on Whole Blood Samples That Tested Positive for Babesia microti by PCR from an Endemic Area for Both Infections in New York State

Because both Babesia microti and Borrelia burgdorferi can be transmitted by the bite of a single coinfected Ixodes scapularis tick, an attempt was made to determine frequency with which whole blood samples that tested positive for B. infection polymerase chain reaction (PCR) would also test PCR infection. Over 7-year period from 2013 2019, 119 different patients on at least one sample. Among 118 sample could qualitative burgdorferi, only patient (0.85%, 95% CI 0.02 4.6%). Routine testing every PCR-positive specimen detect coinfection appears have low yield, even in highly endemic geographic area these infections.