Case studies: Babesia patients infected with Bartonella

In their article “Human Babesia odocoilei and Bartonella spp. co-infections in the Americas,” Maggi and colleagues describe a series of patient cases which through molecular documentation demonstrates Babesia odocoilei infection in humans in the United States and emphasizes the potential for co-infection with a Bartonella species. [1]

“Droplet digital PCR assays (ddPCRs) were developed and validated in our laboratory to enhance the sensitivity of detection of Babesia, Bartonella and Borrelia spp. DNA in animal and human patient specimens,” according to Maggi and colleagues from the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University.

Investigators used digital PCR assays with enhanced sensitivity to detect B. odocoilei DNA in 7 of the research participants – 6 of these individuals were also co-infected with Bartonella.

Seven of the study participants were infected with Babesia odocoilei. They resided in the United States and Mexico and at the time of testing, had reportedly been ill for several days to 14 years.

“Fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom, followed by memory loss, headache, irritability/ rage/aggression and poor appetite,” the authors state.

Note: The questionnaire the participants completed did not include “night sweats or air hunger” as a symptom selection, although these symptoms have been associated with Babesia.

Additionally, 6 of the 7 participants were also found to be infected with one or more Bartonella species.

Babesia and Bartonella in a 4-year-old boy

At age 4, a healthy, high-functioning boy suddenly developed symptoms consistent with Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). He developed rapid speech regression, involving both receptive and expressive language, along with acute anxiety, sleep disturbances and changes in his behavior and personality.

Other symptoms included: impaired memory, irritability, rage and aggression, poor appetite and muscle weakness.

For the next 5½ years, the boy was examined by at least 12 different specialists and treated with clonazepam and clonidine.

“At the time of study entry, “undiagnosed brain disease of 5 years and 10 months duration” was listed as a working diagnosis, The boy’s condition deteriorated to the point where he was almost entirely non-verbal,” the authors state.

According to his father, “the boy’s condition deteriorated to the point where he was almost entirely non-verbal, physically weak, and impaired, and consumed by anxiety that significantly impeded his well-being,” the authors state.

Testing revealed the patient had been infected with both Babesia odocoilei and Bartonella henselae.

Tick-borne infections in suicidal 9-year-old child

This patient reportedly exhibited a range of symptoms which suggested an autonomic nervous system dysfunction and neuropsychiatric illness, including suicidal/homicidal thoughts.

The 9-year-old girl was diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and suffered from anxiety, severe depression, headaches, nightmares and hallucinations.

“She subsequently attempted suicide and over the ensuing years developed tachycardia, repeated urinary infections, homicidal thoughts and cutaneous stretch marks,” the authors state.

The patient reported having both cat and dog bites in the same year in which she was diagnosed with ODD.

Testing revealed that she was infected with Babesia odocoilei, Babesia quintana and Bartonella henselae.

Toddler develops multiple symptoms

A 2½ year old girl developed a Bull’s eye rash on her upper arm after playing in her parent’s backyard in Oklahoma.

Over the next few months, she developed night sweats, knee pain, nightmares and sleep apnea.

Despite antibiotic treatment, “She has experienced an array of moderate symptoms over the last few years. She has significant night sweats, frequently complains of knee pain, nightmares, and appears to have sleep apnea at times during the night,” the father states.

Testing revealed that she was infected with Babesia odocoilei, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana.

Note: The authors did not describe treatment or outcomes for the study participants.

Authors Conclude:

• “Using a combination of different molecular diagnostic approaches, infection with Babesia odocoilei was confirmed in seven people suffering chronic non-specific symptoms, of whom six were co-infected with one or more Bartonella species
• “We conclude that infection with Babesia odocoilei is more frequent than previously documented and can occur in association with co-infection with Bartonella spp.,” the authors state.