Babesia odocoilei in Humans: Symptoms and Treatment Challenges
A NEW BABESIA SPECIES IN HUMANS?
PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS MAY NOT BE WHAT THEY SEEM
“I was treated—but the symptoms kept coming back.”
Emerging evidence suggests that Babesia odocoilei, a parasite previously associated with deer, may also infect humans and cause persistent illness.
Quick Answer: Babesia odocoilei has been identified in humans using molecular testing and may cause symptoms similar to other Babesia infections, including fatigue, night sweats, and relapsing illness.
Clinical Insight: Standard testing may miss this species, and symptoms may persist despite treatment.
In a study by Scott and colleagues :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, researchers identified B. odocoilei in two patients using PCR and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene.
This report provides early evidence that this Babesia species may be pathogenic in humans.
For a broader overview, see the Babesia and Lyme disease hub.
What symptoms are seen with Babesia odocoilei?
The two patients described experienced classic babesiosis symptoms, including:
- Night sweats
- Chills and fever
- Profound fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Sleep disturbances
These symptoms are similar to those seen with other Babesia infections, which can complicate diagnosis.
Patient 1: Persistent symptoms despite treatment
A 23-year-old woman did not recall a tick bite but was treated clinically for babesiosis with atovaquone.
She initially improved, but her symptoms returned and persisted.
Further testing with PCR confirmed infection with B. odocoilei.
Patient 2: Misidentified infection and relapse
A 74-year-old man developed symptoms after a tick bite and was initially diagnosed with Babesia duncani.
He was treated with multiple regimens, including:
- Atovaquone with azithromycin
- Atovaquone and proguanil
- An herbal derivative of Artemisia annua
Although he improved initially, his symptoms relapsed.
Further analysis suggested that the infection may have been B. odocoilei, not B. duncani.
This distinction matters because standard tests such as FISH can detect Babesia but cannot identify the specific species.
Why Babesia odocoilei may be missed
Diagnosis may be delayed or missed because:
- Standard tests do not identify species
- Symptoms overlap with other Babesia infections
- Tick exposure may not be recalled
These challenges reflect broader issues in Babesia testing limitations.
Migratory birds and geographic spread
Both patients lived in areas not traditionally considered endemic.
Researchers suggest migratory birds may carry infected ticks into new regions.
This may help explain why patients develop infection outside expected geographic patterns.
These findings also support the risk of multiple tick-borne infections following a single tick bite.
Persistent or relapsing infection
One patient experienced symptoms for more than 3.5 years despite treatment.
This raises concern that some Babesia infections may persist or relapse.
These patterns are similar to reports of chronic babesiosis and may require individualized treatment approaches.
Clinical takeaway
Babesia odocoilei may represent an emerging cause of human babesiosis that is difficult to detect and may persist despite treatment.
When symptoms are consistent with babesiosis but testing is inconclusive, clinicians may need to consider less common Babesia species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Babesia odocoilei?
A Babesia parasite primarily found in deer that may also infect humans.
Why is it difficult to diagnose?
Standard tests detect Babesia but do not identify the species.
What symptoms occur?
Night sweats, fever, fatigue, and relapsing illness.
Can it be persistent?
Yes. Some cases may continue for months or years despite treatment.
Can it occur outside endemic areas?
Yes. Migratory birds may spread infected ticks to new regions.
Related Reading
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
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 .
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.
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?
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/
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
I have found spinal taps disappointing for Lyme disease. The neurologist in our area do not order tests for other tick borne illnesses.
Any thoughts on were or how to be tested for Babesia odocoilei? Can lyme cause nerological issues confusion emotional problems?
Thank you.
Jim
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/
Also pCR test
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8546463/
Try IGeneX
I did igenex babs panel came back high igg babesi duncani was told babesi odocoilei can cross react with duncani
Igenix. Ow has a fish test specific for odocoillei and I tested positive.
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
My son was diagnosed with babesea obocoileo by Dr Lindner. He had to have his blood sent to a specific lab since most labs aren’t qualified. He is now being treated by Lindner
I wish we knew more.
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?
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.
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??
Is this the only way to test in humans?
How would one go about getting tested when the tick tested positive?
I have not found a reliable test for people.
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.
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
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
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?
I have treated patients with similar presentation
.
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
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
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)
I don’t have enough information to determine the reliability of the test