Babesia Canada is now a reality. The first documented case of Babesia microti in Manitoba confirms that this tick-borne parasite has crossed the border — and co-infection with Lyme disease increases severity.
Researchers have identified the first known case of Babesia microti in Manitoba, a province of Canada. Authors from the University of Manitoba reported in the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology that a “7-year-old boy with a complicated medical history that included asplenia, acquired an infection with Babesia microti in the summer of 2013 and had not travelled outside of Manitoba.”
The boy was successfully treated with six weeks of atovaquone and azithromycin.
Evidence That Babesia Canada Has Arrived
The University of Manitoba entomologists point out that 88 cases of Babesia were reported in Canada’s neighboring states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
The researchers also highlighted the following evidence that Babesia has already reached Canada:
- Blacklegged-ticks infected with Babesia microti have been collected from six different localities in Manitoba as early as 2010
- The prevalence of Babesia microti ticks ranged from 1.8% to as high as 10% in other locations
- Babesia microti has also been detected in the tissues from field collected rodents at two sites
- Infected ‘bird-borne’ ticks had been observed in Ontario
Lyme Disease Enhances Babesia Spread
Researchers from the Yale School of Public Health believe human Babesiosis is reaching new regions. They recently demonstrated that mice infected with Lyme disease and Babesia could enhance the geographic spread of the disease.
According to Maria Diuk-Wasser, senior author of the Yale study, “The findings provide a possible answer as to why human babesiosis is only emerging in areas where Lyme disease is well established.”
“We found that B. burgdorferi and B. microti co-occur in ticks more frequently than expected, resulting in enhanced human exposure.”
Babesia Requires Different Treatment Than Lyme
Unfortunately, like many other tick-borne illnesses, Babesia can be difficult to diagnose. And it cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin and azithromycin, which are used to treat Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis.
Typically, a co-infection of Babesia with Lyme disease can increase the severity and duration of illness. Diuk-Wasser points out that multiple infections “can cause more severe symptoms and sometimes make diagnosis more difficult.”
Authors of a 2014 study published in PLOS One warn physicians to evaluate patients closely for both Lyme disease and Babesia. “Given that co-infection for these two pathogens can exacerbate symptoms and requires distinct treatment, medical practitioners should be aware of the tendency for B. microti and B. burgdorferi to co-occur when diagnosing and treating tick-borne illness.”
Babesia Symptoms and Diagnosis
There are over 100 known species of Babesia, but only a few warrant concern for humans. Most cases involve Babesia microti and Babesia duncani. The severity of Babesiosis infections can vary, but it can be life-threatening to patients with weakened immune systems and the elderly.
Some individuals can present with flu-like symptoms, which include irregular fevers, chills, sweats, lethargy, headaches, nausea, body aches and fatigue. The disease can cause a specific type of anemia, called hemolytic anemia, since the parasites infect and destroy red blood cells. There are individuals who are asymptomatic, as well.
In early cases, Babesia parasites can be seen inside red blood cells using a thick smear test, according to the CDC. But only a third of patients with Babesiosis were diagnosed microscopically in a study in the Northeastern US by Krause and colleagues. The remaining Babesia patients were diagnosed with PCR and IgM antibody testing.
Babesia Treatment Options
Babesia in the 7-year-old child was effectively treated with a 6-week combination of atovaquone and azithromycin. A combination of atovaquone and azithromycin was much better tolerated than clindamycin and quinine in a trial by Krause et al.
Metronidazole and Tinidazole are examples of treatment for Babesia that have been suggested for individuals who do not tolerate or cannot afford the combination of atovaquone with azithromycin. The ideal regimen has yet to be determined.
Blood Transfusion Risk
It’s important to point out that unlike Lyme disease, Babesia can be transmitted person-to-person through blood transfusions, making the disease particularly concerning.
According to a study published in Transfusion, “cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis have been increasingly recognized. To date, no Babesia test has been licensed for screening US blood donors.”
Given the complete lack of Lyme/Babesia specialists in Canada, how could anyone say that this illness is “new” or “emerging”?
This narrative is nothing more than a shallow attempt of the medical community to cover their behind after decades of extreme neglect. There are over thirty know species of Babesia; only a handful of those bacteria have any identifiable lab tests. The tests that do exist are in no way reliable.
You sir are spreading misinformation in order to cover the tracks of gross medical mismanagement. You should be ashamed of yourself.
I’m from Toronto Canada. I’m positive on a Babesia Fish test. I can’t afford to go to Europe. Why is this not on the Toronto public health. Mepron is 770$ a month way overpriced!!
Doctors in the U.S. are increasingly recognizing Babesia following a tick bite. B. microti, the causative agent of Babesia, is the second most common infection in the tick in the NorthEastern United States. It follows a tick bite. Other modes of transmission have not been studied. It is important for a doctor to make sure the the clinical picture fits in case the Babesia test is a false positive. It is a shame that the cost has not dropped for Mepron even with the introduction of a generic product.
Ok. So where in B.C. can a test be performed for Babesia? Anyone?
We have a mother and her three children here in Alberta. Mother has Lyme disease. Three children tested positive for babesia, oldest daughter is quite ill now. They need treatment, can you recommend someone. They live here in Alberta, Canada.
Sorry to hear you are finding it difficult to find a doctor. I am not familiar with the doctors in your area.
Join Canadian Lyme groups and they will point in right direction
Check out Dr Taylor in Calgary. She’s an ILADS trained naturopath, who can prescribe. She treats Lyme patients from all over Canada. She’s amazing!
https://www.drtaylornd.com/
I live in Kentucky, USA. I presented with flu-like symptoms, 102+ fever…I continue to have a low-grade fever, extreme fatigue, aches…received a positive blood test for babesia. My dr. Sent me to an infectious disease dr who then ran a PCR, which came back negative. I continue to have episodes of flu-like symptoms with 102 fever…but neg. On flu. Are there any conditions that can mimic and give a false positive?
There are several Babesia tests
1. parasites in the red blood cells if caught early
2. PCR
3. antibodies.
Some patients never have a positive test. I used clinical judgment after ruling out other causes.