First report: Babesia odocoilei causes babesiosis in humans
Human babesiosis is a potentially life-threatening parasitic infection, typically transmitted through a tick bite. Babesia microti (B. microti) and Babesia duncani (B. duncani) are two red blooded parasites known for causing babesiosis. But, this is the first report of a different species, Babesia odocoilei, causing illness in humans.
Babesia odocoilei has been identified in two individuals based on PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, writes Scott and colleagues in the study “Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Humans with Babesiosis Symptoms.” ¹
According to the authors, “the same two human subjects had the hallmark symptoms of human Babesiosis, including night sweats, chills, fevers, and profound fatigue.”
First cases reported of the tick-borne parasite Babesia odocoilei causing illness in people.
“Based on symptoms and molecular identification, we provide substantive evidence that B. odocoilei is pathogenic to humans.”
“Clinicians must realize that there are more than two Babesia spp. in North America that cause human Babesiosis.”
Researchers identified B. odocoilei in 2 out of 19 subjects participating in a Babesia study in Canada.¹
Patient 1
A 23-year-old woman did not recall a tick bite but was treated clinically for Babesia with atovaquone (Mepron). She experienced temporary relief with treatment.
The woman continued to have symptoms commonly associated with Babesiosis, including night sweats, chills, fevers, profound fatigue, increased thirst, muscle aches, and sleep disturbance.
Her spleen remained intact. When she was tested for Babesia spp., using molecular characterization, she was positive for B. odocoilei.
Patient 2
A 74-year-old man was treated for Babesia following a I. scapularis tick bite. He tested positive for Babesia duncani.
“He developed familiar Babesia symptoms, namely, night sweats, chills, fevers, profound fatigue, increased thirst, muscle aches, and sleep disturbance.”
The patient’s symptoms improved but he relapsed after several different courses of treatment which included: atovaquone (Mepron) and azithromycin; atovaquone and proguanil (Malarone), and a derivative of Artemesia annua, an herbal medication used for human Babesiosis.
“We suggest that clinicians may, in reality, be dealing with B. odocoilei rather than B. duncani or other Babesia spp.”
The authors questioned the initial diagnosis, as the patient “was positive for the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay, which is a genus-specific test for Babesia.” But, “FISH is not species-specific and simply represents Babesia.”
Instead, they suggest the man experienced “what was thought to be B. duncani but was actually B. odocoilei.”
Babesia can be difficult to treat, the authors explain. “Clinicians indicate that B. duncani is more virulent than B. microti, and more difficult to treat.”
Patients lived in non-endemic regions
Both of these patients lived in non-endemic regions for Babesia. It appears that migratory birds are transporting ticks infected with Babesia odocoilei to various regions.
“North-bound, migratory songbirds widely disperse B. odocoilei-infected I. scapularis larvae and nymphs.”
Another study warns, “The presence of B. odocoilei and Bbsl in a bird-feeding I. scapularis nymph indicates that this vector tick may subsequently transmit a dual infection to a suitable host, including a human.”²
Treatment-resistant symptoms concerning
The authors expressed concern over the recurrent pattern of Babesia symptoms. “This recrudescent pattern of symptoms after treatment modalities indicates that certain babesial infections can be persistent in the human body.”
“Persistence of B. odocoilei lasted for more than 3.5 years in [the 74-year-old man] despite treatment modalities with standard anti-Babesia therapy.”
Related Articles:
Podcast: Babesia microti in a multiple sclerosis patient
Case series shows wide range of Babesia symptoms and presentations
References:
- Scott JD, Sajid MS, Pascoe EL, Foley JE. Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Humans with Babesiosis Symptoms. Diagnostics (Basel). May 25 2021;11(6)doi:10.3390/diagnostics11060947
- Scott JD, Clark KL, Durden LA. Presence of Babesia odocoilei and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto in a Tick and Dual Parasitism of Amblyomma inornatum and Ixodes scapularis on a Bird in Canada. Healthcare (Basel). 2019 Mar 20;7(1):46. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7010046. PMID: 30897803; PMCID: PMC6473902.
Colleen
04/12/2023 (8:25 pm)
Is this the only way to test in humans?
How would one go about getting tested when the tick tested positive?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/13/2023 (10:35 am)
I have not found a reliable test for people.
Alysia Villanueva
02/21/2023 (2:51 pm)
So what antibiotics are effective at treating this strain of babesia and any labs that actually can test us for it? Is testing available to anyone?herbals??
Dr. Daniel Cameron
02/23/2023 (7:17 am)
I have not found much information on Babesia odocoilei. I wrote the blog on the basis of the case report to encourage further work in this area.
Colleen
04/12/2023 (8:28 pm)
It seems the normal treatment course for other strains is not effective.
How would you proceed if a patient presented with a positive tick test and engorgement of 100 plus hrs?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/13/2023 (10:36 am)
There is at least a 20% chance of Lyme. I advise my patients to get treated.
Jim Lewis
01/29/2023 (6:09 pm)
Hi Doc, So I tested straight positive for lyme was treated then over the past year I’ve continued to get worse night sweats, insomnia, blurred vision, ringing in my ears, confusion,numbness in my feet, twitching of my arms,head feet ,a nervousness, emotional, abdominal pain, unintentionally wait loss of140lbs I had crazy high acth,and cortisol and creatin in 24hr urine test they thought I had cushings disease or syndrome had mri of my brain 7 ct scans had a complete gastro work up, But no awnsers, the endo work up could not find a source, I developed pots symptoms I went to Cleveland clinic got tested for small fiber neuropathy was positive, I had high ganglioside antibodies test was high also homocysteine levels high mch high
Mchc low and also low liver enzymes ,No one can figure it out while I continue to suffer can’t function at all , I decided to contact the PA state tick research Testing lab they test all the ticks collected here in PA the director told me they just started testing the ticks for babesia odocoilei she said they were very alarmed to find out that 20% of the deer ticks had babesia odocoilei she directed me to watch a video the state human services committee had a hearing held in Sept 2022 on the state of tickborn disease here in PA and she testified of this emerging threat of Babesia odocoilei was in 20% of all the deer ticks they tested here is the link https://www.senatorbrooks.com/2022/09/15/hhs-092022/
Also at the hearing was a Dr. Henry Lindner He also was thier to give testimony as his own daughter contracted this and what he had to do to figure it out he has also been tring to sound the alarm !
I believe I have this with Lyme I was shocked when I contacted the PA state epidemiology dept asking for help to get tested for this and they denied that it effects Humans I seeked out a lyme literate dr in the eastern part of the state got Igenex babesia work up pcr ducani and microti both negative, fish test negative but I had a babesia ducani igg 160 I was told that babesia odocoilei will sometime trigger positive for Ducani Test, I understand TLabs has a test for babesia odocoilei? Do you know how someone gets properly tested ? I got some testing by MDL they claim I have 3 species of lyme and Bartonella but pcr testing by quest says no to 2 species of Bartonella
I’m currently taking doxy and ivermecton but I haven’t seen any improvement my mental state is worse ,Cleveland clinic wants to give me a spinal tap but I seen your video on how unreliable that is for detecting Lyme in central nervous system how about babesia or Bartonella and is thier a lab or test you could recommend to have this fluid tested or multiple as I only want to do it once and make the most of it..
Thanks for all you do to help all suffering!
Jim
Dr. Daniel Cameron
01/30/2023 (7:22 am)
I have found spinal taps disappointing for Lyme disease. The neurologist in our area do not order tests for other tick borne illnesses.
Jim Lewis
01/31/2023 (12:54 pm)
Any thoughts on were or how to be tested for Babesia odocoilei? Can lyme cause nerological issues confusion emotional problems?
Thank you.
Jim
Dr. Daniel Cameron
01/31/2023 (4:41 pm)
I am not sure where to get the test. Perhaps you could reach out the the following investigators at
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228967/
Colleen
04/12/2023 (8:34 pm)
Also pCR test
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8546463/
MBK
03/31/2023 (2:55 pm)
Try IGeneX
Jim
05/16/2023 (7:45 pm)
I did igenex babs panel came back high igg babesi duncani was told babesi odocoilei can cross react with duncani
Zack
05/24/2023 (5:43 am)
Igenix. Ow has a fish test specific for odocoillei and I tested positive.
Jim
06/16/2023 (11:21 am)
Zack, what is OW ? I did the igenex babesia fish cam back Neg. But my igg was 160 for babesia duncani was told it could cross react babesia odocoilei, I sent off to Tlabs has a babesia odocoilei test..
Zack join us on Lyme/,babesia odocoilei reddit
Jim Lewis
04/15/2023 (11:43 am)
Hi Doc,
Well I got the spinal tap it was painful and they got blood in my spinal fluid which ruined the test my lyme cfs test only showed 1 band 18kda. It didn’t give any answers, I stopped lyme treatment and have been Taking mepron 5ml twice a day about to add azithromycin 250 once a day, for babesia odocoilei, I’m struggling so bad can’t find testing for babesia odocoilei . Any suggestions?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/16/2023 (10:47 am)
My patients typically normal spinal tap. Only 2 of 27 chronic neurologic cases described by Logigian et al. in 1990 had an abnormal spinal tap. I am not aware of a reliable test for babesia odocoilei. Sorry.
Melissa
11/08/2022 (8:52 am)
Hello. I tested positive for Babesia Microti in May. After 6 months of treatment with Mepron, Malarone and Zithromax, I have developed new, more severe symptoms, mainly all affecting my head. My recent Igenex tests show Babesia spp positive. Does this indicate another Babesia species is active? My doctor is starting me on Krintafel and Coartem, pulsing them on separate weeks along with Zithromax on the krintafel days. Does this sound like a good treatment plan?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
11/08/2022 (9:12 am)
I also find treatment for Babesia to be uncertain. I addressed this topic in one of my blogs after reading
an article by Marcos LA, et al IDCases.
https://danielcameronmd.com/treatment-relapsing-babesia/
Audrey F Fowler
10/27/2022 (10:34 am)
So a lab confirmation for the tick was Lyme and babesia odocoilei , babesiosis . Lab estimates this female deer tick to have been imbedded in my back only 7 hours. The head of the tick not fully removed. I have night sweats and head ache. No fever nor bulls eye or rash. Tired but of course night sweats will promote lack of continuous sleep. My doctor states the infections that this tick has unlikely transmitted any disease to me😳 because only on me 7 hours. Please advise .
Dr. Daniel Cameron
10/28/2022 (12:53 pm)
I am not sure how long a tick has to be attached to transmit Babesia. I advise my patients to include a doctor with experience treating Lyme disease and Babesia to determine if it would help to treat using clinical judgement.
Jim Lewis
02/22/2023 (4:31 pm)
Hi Audrey,
Any updates? Are you in PA ? Just curious as I’m still tring to get tested for Babesia odocoilei I’m ready to leave my current dr as they seem not to take seriously my current symtoms for babesia or the serous harm it can cause I am struggling now going on a year and 3 months my life is upside-down!
Thanks,
Jim
Bill
03/20/2023 (5:12 pm)
Hi Jim,
any updates? Are you stabilized?
Bill
Jim Lewis
03/27/2023 (6:58 pm)
Hi Bill,
No I’m not! Not sure why some of our post got removed I’m struggling so bad . Started on
Mepron but had to stop had horrible mental issues and emotional.. I tried the l-arginine but did not help my sleep issues.
Can we private message somehow ?
Thanks,
Jim
Colleen
04/19/2023 (12:12 pm)
I’d like in on this!
I can be found on FB, but please include references from this post, so I know it’s not a scammer.
Jim Lewis
04/21/2023 (9:57 am)
Hi Colleen,
Be glad to share with you not sure how to find you on FB,? I believe I have babesia odocoilei along with lyme im so sick ! I’m having horrible mental and nerological, gastro issues insomnia ect I’ve had so many symptoms!
Colleen
04/19/2023 (12:13 pm)
I’d like in on this!
I can be found on FB, but please include references from this post, so I know it’s not a scammer.
Jim
05/16/2023 (7:47 pm)
Bill, more conversations about it at lyme/babesia odocoilei reddit join us..