TO THE EDITOR—Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonosis most commonly caused by Babesia microti and is transmitted by Ixodes species ticks [1, 2]. Babesia presents as a febrile undifferentiated malaria-like illness with a variety of nonspecific clinical and laboratory abnormalities [3]. Nonspecific laboratory abnormalities have been described in babesiosis, for example, leukopenia, relative lymphopen...

Only a small number of tick species are vectors of important economic diseases or toxicosis in sub-Saharan Africa (see Table 1). These are Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma truncatum, Ixodes rubicundus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus zambe...

Transmission of a Babesia species to susceptible cattle by Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi ticks picked off a sable which died of acute babesiosis is described. The parasite was initially isolated by feeding R. e. evertsi ticks on a susceptible, splenectomised bovine which developed parasitaemia. Blood stabilate from the parasitaemic bovine produced a fatal babesiosis in a spleen--intact bovine. ...

transfusion-associated cases were reported throughout the year, underscoring the need for constant awareness. The 2 cases of probable congenital infection highlight the need to consider Babesia infection for newborns who have compatible clinical manifestations, especially if the mother had risk factors for infection. Prompt identification of babesiosis is essential to prevent disease transmissi...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate usefulness of PCR assay for the diagnosis of atypical cases of the Babesia canis infections. Primers designed based on the 18 S RNA gene sequence of B. canis. The location of the primers was targeted to evolutionary conserved region. Blood samples from dogs suspected for babesiosis were analysed microscopically and then by PCR. The PCR assay showed h...

The etiological agents that cause human babesiosis (Babesia microti) and Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) share a common tick vector (Ixodes scapularis Say) and rodent reservoir (Peromyscus leucopus), but because the geographical distribution of babesiosis is more restricted than Lyme disease, it was not considered a nationally notifiable disease until 2011. Although recent studies have show...

Proteinuria, and renal tubular casts and epithelial cells in urine sediment, are commonly observed in both complicated and uncomplicated babesiosis, but do not necessarily reflect or predict renal failure. This study investigated the presence and degree of renal damage in canine babesiosis. Renal function and integrity were evaluated using serum urea and creatinine, serum electrolytes (sodium a...