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Previous Volume 332:298-303 February 2, 1995 Number 5 Next

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ABSTRACT

Background Human babesiosis is a tick-transmitted zoonosis associated with two protozoa of the family Piroplasmorida: Babesia microti (in the United States) and B. divergens (in Europe). Recently, infection with an unusual babesia-like piroplasm (designated WA1) was described in a patient from Washington State. We studied four patients in California who were identified as being infected with a similar protozoal parasite. All four patients had undergone splenectomy, two because of trauma and two for other medical reasons. Two of the patients had complicated courses, and one died.

Methods Piroplasm-specific nuclear small-subunit ribosomal DNA was recovered from the blood of the four patients by amplification with the polymerase chain reaction. The genetic sequences were compared with those of other known piroplasm species. Indirect immunofluorescent-antibody testing of serum from the four patients and from other potentially exposed persons was performed with WA1 and babesia antigens.

Results Genetic sequence analysis showed that the organisms from all four patients were nearly identical. Phylogenic analysis showed that this strain is more closely related to a known canine pathogen (B. gibsoni) and to theileria species than to some members of the genus babesia. Serum from three of the patients was reactive to WA1 but not to B. microti antigen. Serologic testing showed WA1-antibody seroprevalence rates of 16 percent (8 of 51 persons at risk) and 3.5 percent (4 of 115) in two geographically distinct areas of northern California.

Conclusions A newly identified babesia-like organism causes infections in humans in the western United States. The clinical spectrum associated with infection with this protozoan ranges from asymptomatic infection or influenza-like illness to fulminant, fatal disease.

Source Information

From the Division of Experimental Pathology and the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minn. (D.H.P., D.M.); the Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta (B.L.H.); the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco (C.G.); the Entomology Group, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley (R.S.L.); the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis (J.W.T., P.A.C.); the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Connecticut, Farmington (P.J.K.); and Preventive Medicine Services, California Medical Detachment, Fort Ord, Calif. (D.F.P.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Persing at the Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.

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