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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2022is a genus of intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites belonging to the exclusively parasitic phylum Apicomplexa [...].
is a genus of intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites belonging to the exclusively parasitic phylum Apicomplexa [...].
PubMed: 35456074
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040399 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021are tick-borne intra-erythrocytic parasites and the causative agents of babesiosis. , which are readily transfusion transmissible, gained recognition as a major risk to... (Review)
Review
are tick-borne intra-erythrocytic parasites and the causative agents of babesiosis. , which are readily transfusion transmissible, gained recognition as a major risk to the blood supply, particularly in the United States (US), where is endemic. Many of those infected with remain asymptomatic and parasitemia may persist for months or even years following infection, such that seemingly healthy blood donors are unaware of their infection. By contrast, transfusion recipients are at high risk of severe babesiosis, accounting for the high morbidity and mortality (~19%) observed in transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). An increase in cases of tick-borne babesiosis and TTB prompted over a decade-long investment in blood donor surveillance, research, and assay development to quantify and contend with TTB. This culminated in the adoption of regional blood donor testing in the US. We describe the evolution of the response to TTB in the US and offer some insight into the risk of TTB in other countries. Not only has this response advanced blood safety, it has accelerated the development of novel serological and molecular assays that may be applied broadly, affording insight into the global epidemiology and immunopathogenesis of human babesiosis.
PubMed: 34578209
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091176 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus . With its increasing incidence worldwide and the risk of human-to-human... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus . With its increasing incidence worldwide and the risk of human-to-human transmission through blood transfusion, babesiosis is becoming a rising public health concern. The current arsenal for the treatment of human babesiosis is limited and consists of combinations of atovaquone and azithromycin or clindamycin and quinine. These combination therapies were not designed based on biological criteria unique to parasites, but were rather repurposed based on their well-established efficacy against other apicomplexan parasites. However, these compounds are associated with mild or severe adverse events and a rapid emergence of drug resistance, thus highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies that are specifically tailored to parasites. Herein, we review ongoing babesiosis therapeutic and management strategies and their limitations, and further review current efforts to develop new, effective, and safer therapies for the treatment of this disease.
PubMed: 34578153
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091120 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. The first case of human babesiosis in Europe was described in the late 1950s and since... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. The first case of human babesiosis in Europe was described in the late 1950s and since then more than 60 cases have been reported in Europe. While the disease is relatively rare in Europe, it is significant because the majority of cases present as life-threatening fulminant infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Although appearing clinically similar to human babesiosis elsewhere, particularly in the USA, most European forms of the disease are distinct entities, especially concerning epidemiology, human susceptibility to infection and clinical management. This paper describes the history of the disease and reviews all published cases that have occurred in Europe with regard to the identity and genetic characteristics of the etiological agents, pathogenesis, aspects of epidemiology including the eco-epidemiology of the vectors, the clinical courses of infection, diagnostic tools and clinical management and treatment.
PubMed: 34578196
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091165 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021The effects of current and future global warming on the distribution and activity of the primary ixodid vectors of human babesiosis (caused by , and ) are discussed.... (Review)
Review
The effects of current and future global warming on the distribution and activity of the primary ixodid vectors of human babesiosis (caused by , and ) are discussed. There is clear evidence that the distributions of both , the vector in Europe, and in North America have been impacted by the changing climate, with increasing temperatures resulting in the northwards expansion of tick populations and the occurrence of at higher altitudes. , which replaces in Eurasia and temperate Asia, is presumed to be the babesiosis vector in China and Japan, but this tick species has not yet been confirmed as the vector of either human or animal babesiosis. There is no definite evidence, as yet, of global warming having an effect on the occurrence of human babesiosis, but models suggest that it is only a matter of time before cases occur further north than they do at present.
PubMed: 34832586
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111430 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022and are apicomplexan parasites that cause established and emerging diseases in humans, domestic and wild animals. These protozoans are transmitted by Ixodid ticks... (Review)
Review
and are apicomplexan parasites that cause established and emerging diseases in humans, domestic and wild animals. These protozoans are transmitted by Ixodid ticks causing babesiosis or theileriosis, both characterized by fever, hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly. In North America (NA), the most common species affecting humans is , which is distributed in the Northeastern and Upper Midwestern United States (US), where the tick vector is established. In livestock, and are the most important pathogens causing bovine babesiosis in tropical regions of Mexico. Despite efforts toward eradication of their tick vector, , and present a constant threat of being reintroduced into the southern US and represent a continuous concern for the US cattle industry. Occasional outbreaks of , and have occurred in horses and cattle, respectively, in the US, with significant economic implications for livestock including quarantine, production loss, and euthanasia of infected animals. In addition, a new species, , has been recently discovered in horses from the Mexico-US border. Domestic dogs are hosts to at least four species of in NA that may result in clinical disease that ranges from subclinical to acute, severe anemia. Herein we review the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and epidemiology of the most important diseases caused by and to humans, domestic and wild animals in Canada, the US, and Mexico.
PubMed: 35215111
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020168 -
Heliyon Jun 2023Babesiosis is a protozoal disease affect livestock and pet animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, dogs, and cats. It causes severe... (Review)
Review
Babesiosis is a protozoal disease affect livestock and pet animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, dogs, and cats. It causes severe economic losses in livestock as well as in pet animals. A large number of dairy animals are imported in order to fulfill the demands of milk, milk, meat and its products. In addition, different pet animals are transported from Pakistan to various parts of the world, therefore, it is important to identify the current status and distribution of babesiosis throughout Pakistan in order to control the disease and draw attention for future research, diagnosis, treatment and control of this diseases. No work has been done on a complete review on up-to-date on blood protozoal disease burden in Pakistan. This article will provide about the complete background of babesiosis in ruminants, equines and pet animals, its current status, distribution, vectors in Pakistan and allopathic and ethnoveterinary treatments used against babesiosis. Babesiosis may be subclinical (apparently normal) and may be clinical with acute to chronic disease and sometimes fatal. Babesia is found and develops inside the erythrocytes (red blood cells). Clinically, it causes fever, fatigue, lethargy, pallor mucus membranes, malaise, cachexia, respiratory distress, jaundice, icterus, hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, lymphadenopathy, chollangocytitis, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Chemotherapy for babesiosis includes Imidocarb dipropionate, Diaminazine aceturate Atovaquone and Bupravaquone, Azithromycin, Quinuronium sulfate and Amicarbalidesio-thionate are most widely used. Supportive therapy includes multivitamins, fluid therapy, antipyretics intravenous fluids, and blood transfusions are used if necessary. In addition, there are certain ethnoveterinary (homeopathic) ingredients which having anti-babesial activity. As the resistance against these drugs is developing every day. New more specific long-lasting drugs should be developed for the treatment of Babesiosis. Further studies should be done on disease genome of different species of for vaccine development like malarial parasites.
PubMed: 37441378
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17172 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate... (Review)
Review
Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of species responsible for human babesiosis, although, to date, most cases have been attributed to and . These two species have been extensively studied, and in this review, we mostly focus on the antigens involved in host-parasite interactions. We present features of the major antigens, so-called Bd37 in and BmSA1/GPI12 in , and highlight the roles of these antigens in both host cell invasion and immune response. A comparison of these antigens with the major antigens found in some other Apicomplexa species emphasizes the importance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in host-parasite relationships. GPI-anchor cleavage, which is a property of such antigens, leads to soluble and membrane-bound forms of these proteins, with potentially differential recognition by the host immune system. This mechanism is discussed as the structural basis for the protein-embedded immune escape mechanism. In conclusion, the potential consequences of such a mechanism on the management of both human and animal babesiosis is examined.
PubMed: 35056047
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010099 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2019The incidence and geographic distribution of human babesiosis is growing in the U.S. Its major causative agent is the protozoan parasite, . is transmitted to humans... (Review)
Review
The incidence and geographic distribution of human babesiosis is growing in the U.S. Its major causative agent is the protozoan parasite, . is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of ticks, which are vectors for a number of other pathogens. Other routes of transmission are blood transfusion and in rare cases of mother-to-foetus transmission, through the placenta. This review discusses the current literature on mammalian coinfection with and , the causative agent Lyme disease.
PubMed: 31370180
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030117