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.
Nathan
04/02/2024 (3:23 am)
Tlab has a FISH test for Babesia odocolei. But not clear if it is specific or not. It was the only test which picked my infection, same for my sister (antibody test didn’t work)
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/02/2024 (6:23 am)
I don’t have enough information to determine the reliability of the test
Jim
03/10/2024 (5:43 pm)
Dear Dr Cameron,
Not sure if you have seen this study yet I took part in it. I tested positive for babesia odocoilei by Tlabs, also had a positive fish by igenix for babesia species, also had high igg for babesia ducani but negitive pcr for duncani!
I recieved a copy of the study from Dr John Scott I took part in it was published Feb 2024 here is a link below you may want to do a new blog!
https://mail.remedypublications.com/open-journal-of-public-health-abstract.php?aid=9974
Dr. Daniel Cameron
03/11/2024 (8:00 am)
I have been following the babesia odocoilei research. It is too early to know how reliable the testing is or the clinical manifestations of babesia odocoilei
April
07/07/2023 (10:08 am)
In 2011, I tested positive for WA1 IgG Antibody, IFA 1:512 (Babesia Duncani). In 2023, I tested positive for Babesia odocoilei 18s RNA (via T Lab) – negative for Bartonella rRNA and Borrelia mRNA. I do not know when I was infected and have never received treatment for any strain of babesia but continue to have symptoms of anemia and chronic fatigue. Is treatment recommended?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
07/09/2023 (8:47 am)
I have treated patients with similar presentation
.
Jim
05/09/2023 (8:00 pm)
Hi Doc,
Does babesia cause blood clots? I spent the last 7 days in a cardiac unit after woke up could not breath! Went to emergency in a large hospital in pitt pa told them please test me for babesia odocoilei had a trapon level of 590 super high ddimer low platlets
ct scan showed multilevel lage blood clots in both lungs!
I begged them to test me for all the coinfections as I was bitten by several ticks tested positive for lyme was treated several times and I had a high igg for babesia ducani by igenix they had no protical!
I was treating babesia at the time I had been on mepron 750mg for a month then I added azithromycin for only one week I had horrible hexing I stopped about week before this happened! They tested me for lyme and anaplasmosis! Elisa positive 2.75 western blot Had 6 bands 5 igg and 1 igm negitive anaplasmosis. I had high ddimer a CT scan chest and ultra sound on my legs 60days before this happened all negitive. I was put on heprin iv then eliquest then pushed out.
Been sick for years and a half ..Now coughing up blood they say is normal I’m struggling feel like the babesia is going to take me out and almost did !
Dr.Cameron have you seen anyone with blood clots with babesia treatment or just from babesia ? Will blood thinners help with treatment ?
Thank you for all you do to help all suffering !
Jim
Dr. Daniel Cameron
05/10/2023 (8:12 am)
I have tick borne patients with blood clots as clots are common in practice. I have not seen clots related to Babesia. My specialists typically prescribed blood thinners for clots
Colleen
04/19/2023 (12:32 pm)
Dr. Daniel Cameron,
Have you found any more information on symptoms?
I have been experiencing severe joint pain, especially in my knees, and ankles. I’m barely walking at this time.
With the Persistent symptoms from past tick bites that include these (but never this severe), along with the issue that I had a cortozone shot in my hand for my trigger finger, and the recent tick bite that the tick tested positive for B.O. I’m unsure how to go about pushing for the additional tests to see if it’s tbd related, a flare from past diseases, or possibly something else causing the extreme pain.
The old infection left me hurting more after use, this is completely different. It’s a very sharp pain, with the added feeling of being swollen like an allergic reaction, with tingling more severe than past. It also is with morning stiffness, which I have not had in the past. Mine has always been backward from other “Normal” lyme patient symptoms. Joints don’t want to extend normally either. I also have been experiencing an increase in the flushing which had subsided. Last evening one foot was very warm, while another was cold.
Just driving a half hr to a dr appointment had my feet and legs feeling like they were falling asleep.
The pain also included sharp pain radiating down my shins at times and up the back of my legs at other times. The heal of my feet felt like they were broken just in front of the ball of the heal, then moved to the top side.
With the issue of my legs and feet falling asleep or going numb driving, there is no way I can make the drive it would take to get to see any of the specialists I’ve found you included. Needless to say, I’m pushing local doctors for additional testing. One has agreed to order the test if I can find a lab to test for this specific strain.
I describe this in such detail so you might use it to offer more information to others that may be able to get to you for treatment and possibly new case studies to share with your peers.
I also have pressure in my head at times as well.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/26/2023 (6:37 am)
There are so many causes of illness to consider beyond Lyme disease. For example, a blood clot.