Babesiosis is caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Babesia. Although more than 100 Babesia species have been reported, relatively few have caused documented cases of human infection; these include (but are not limited to) B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani, and a currently unnamed agent designated MO1.
The Babesia microti life cycle involves two hosts, which include a rodent, primarily the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, and a tick in the genus Ixodes. During a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces sporozoites into the mouse host . Sporozoites enter erythrocytes and undergo asexual reproduction (budding) . In the blood, some parasites differentiate into male and female gametes, although these cannot be distinguished by light microscopy . The definitive host is the tick. Once ingested by an appropriate tick , gametes unite and undergo a sporogonic cycle resulting in sporozoites . Transovarial transmission (also known as vertical, or hereditary, transmission) has been documented for "large" Babesia species but not for the "small" Babesia, such as B. microti .
Humans enter the cycle when bitten by infected ticks. During a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces sporozoites into the human host . Sporozoites enter erythrocytes and undergo asexual replication (budding) . Multiplication of the blood-stage parasites is responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Humans usually are dead-end hosts. However, human-to-human transmission is well recognized to occur via contaminated blood transfusions .
Life cycle image and information courtesy of DPDx.
MMWR (July 13, 2012) -- Babesiosis Surveillance — 18 States, 2011
Article (Ann Intern Med -- September 5, 2011): Transfusion-Associated Babesiosis in the United States: A Description of Cases
Video (Ann Intern Med -- October 17, 2011): Author Insight: Barbara L. Herwaldt, MD, MPH, offers additional insight into her original research article.
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