Babesia Infection: Do You Have It?
Babesia infection is one of the most common co-infections associated with Lyme disease and needs to be recognized before it can be dealt with and appropriately treated. Some studies have shown that it is present in over 65% of Lyme sufferers and without addressing this problem, you may find if very difficult to fully recover from your Lyme disease infection.
Babesiosis Infection
Babesia infection is caused by intra-erythrocytic (red blood cell) parasites of the genus Babesia. The incidence of babesiosis in humans is on the rise, and is leading to disease and disability with many doctors not even being aware of this infection.
There are over 100 species of Babesia, but Babesia microti (in the United States) and Babesia divergens and Babesia bovis (in Europe) cause most infections in humans. B. microti also infects various small mammals and primates, while B. divergens has been found to infect rats as well as its main bovine host. Another form of Babesia that was initially found on the west coast of the USA but now is found all over the US is Babesia duncani (WA1-3 and CA 5,6).
Researchers also described another new babesial species (MO1) associated with the first reported case of babesiosis acquired in the state of Missouri. MO1 is probably distinct from B. divergens but the two share morphologic, antigenic and genetic characteristics.
Ixodid ticks, in particular Ixodes dammini (Ixodes scapularis) and Ixodes ricinus, are the carriers of the Babesia parasite. Ticks ingest Babesia while feeding off the host, and the parasite multiplies within the tick’s gut wall. The parasites then spread to the tick’s salivary glands. Spread of the parasite into a host occurs by a tick larva, nymph or adult.
Once the Babesia have entered the host (or human in this case) the parasites invade the red blood cells and then immediately start replicating asexually by budding with the formation of two to four merozoites. A second type of undifferentiated trophozoite is also formed that does not replicate but enlarges and differentiates into gametocyte-like forms similar to that seen in Plasmodium species. Merozoites eventually disrupt infected erythrocytes and reinvade other red blood cells.
Symptoms of Babesia Infection
| There can often be a wide variation in the symptoms and signs of Babesia infection. Here are some of the more common ones: Fatigue and Generalized weakness with excessive sleep requirements. |
| Fever and Night Sweats Petechial Rash – small, red pin-pricked, blood-filled spots. |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) |
| Headache with no obvious cause. |
| Myalgia (muscle pain) |
| Weight loss despite eating well. |
| Arthralgia (joint pains) Random stabbing pains |
| Shortness of Breath or Air Hunger (with no clear cause) |
| Dark urine |
Complications of Babesia Infection
Although not very common it is possible to develop rather serious consequences from this infection. The most common complications of Babesia infection are Congestive heart failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Kidney failure and myocardial infarction also have been associated with severe babesia infections.
If you suspect you may have Babesia infection it is important you look at receiving treatment as soon as possible as failure to do so will only prolong your recovery from Lyme disease even further.
No comments:
Post a Comment