First case of human babesiosis in Germany – Clinical presentation and molecular characterisation of the pathogen

Häselbarth, Katja; Tenter, Astrid M.; Brade, Volker; Krieger, G.; Hunfeld, Klaus-Peter

doi:10.1016/j.ijmm.2007.01.002

Cited by 141 publications

(146 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…In contrast, Babesia sp. EU1 which has repeatedly been identified in game or in ticks in Europe (Casati et al, 2006;Duh et al, 2005a;Duh et al, 2005b;Hilpertshauser et al, 2006 and this work) and which also has been reported in three splenectomized human patients (Haselbarth et al, 2007;Herwaldt et al, 2003), differs by 3% in this gene sequence. The analyses of part of the 28S rRNA gene and of the more variable locus, the rDNA ITS, revealed again a high similarity, but the isolates from cattle could clearly be differentiated from those of free-ranging ruminants (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin – An epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation

Schmid

Deplazes

Hoby

et al. 2008

Veterinary Parasitology

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Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin -an epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation Schmid, N Schmid, N. Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin -an epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation. 2008 Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin -an epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation AbstractIn 2005 and 2006, three adult female chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) were found dead with signs of acute babesial infection in the eastern Swiss Alps. PCR on DNA extracted from blood or spleen of the carcasses revealed sequence identity of the amplified part of the 18S rRNA gene with GenBank entries attributed to Babesia divergens of cattle origin or B. capreoli of wild ruminant origin which have never been described before in this region. Examination of 424 blood samples from 314 head of cattle from this area by IFAT, microscopy and PCR provided no evidence for babesial infection. Six of 887 ticks collected from cattle were PCR-positive, and sequencing revealed Babesia sp. genotype EU1 in five and B. divergens/B. capreoli in one of them. A Babesia isolate of chamois, two isolates of roe deer from the same region and one isolate of a roe deer from the north-western Swiss Alps were genetically compared with two Swiss B. divergens isolates of cattle origin by analysing the genomic rDNA locus. Whereas the near full length sequences of the 18S rRNA gene were virtually identical among all six isolates (>99.4% identity), distinct differences between the two isolates from cattle on the one hand and the four isolates from free-ranging ruminants on the other hand were observed in the sequences of the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2) and part of the 28S rRNA gene. These results indicate that, albeit genetically very closely related, these babesial organisms from cattle and from free-ranging ruminants indeed are distinguishable organisms with different host specificities, and they support the use of the discrete species name B. capreoli for the B. divergens-like organisms from chamois and roe deer. were virtually identical among all six isolates (>99.4% identity), distinct differences between the two isolates from cattle on the one hand and the four isolates from freeranging ruminants on the other hand were observed in the sequences of the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2) and part of the 28S rRNA gene. These results indicate that, albeit genetically very closely related, these babesial organisms from cattle and from free-ranging ruminants indeed are distinguishable organisms with different host specificities, and they support the use of the discrete species name B. capreoli for the B. ...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin – An epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation

Schmid

Deplazes

Hoby

et al. 2008

Veterinary Parasitology

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“…Recently, EU1 Babesia parasites have been identified in roe deer from France (56) and in Ixodes ticks from Poland (107). To our knowledge, only three human cases of Babesia venatorum-like infection have been reported (253,265).…”

Section: Babesia Sppmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In a later study, Haselbarth et al (253) identified a Babesia infection in a 63-year-old splenectomized German patient with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sequence analysis of the SSU rDNA of this isolate revealed that it was 99% similar to the EU1 isolates (253). Recently, EU1 Babesia parasites have been identified in roe deer from France (56) and in Ixodes ticks from Poland (107).…”

Section: Babesia Sppmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Herwaldt et al proposed the species name B. venatorum for the EU1 isolate (265). In a later study, Haselbarth et al (253) identified a Babesia infection in a 63-year-old splenectomized German patient with nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sequence analysis of the SSU rDNA of this isolate revealed that it was 99% similar to the EU1 isolates (253).…”

Section: Babesia Sppmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

et al. 2010

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SUMMARY There are many neglected nonenteric protozoa able to cause serious morbidity and mortality in humans, particularly in the developing world. Diseases caused by certain protozoa are often more severe in the presence of HIV. While information regarding neglected tropical diseases caused by trypanosomatids and Plasmodium is abundant, these protozoa are often not a first consideration in Western countries where they are not endemic. As such, diagnostics may not be available in these regions. Due to global travel and immigration, this has become an increasing problem. Inversely, in certain parts of the world (particularly sub-Saharan Africa), the HIV problem is so severe that diseases like microsporidiosis and toxoplasmosis are common. In Western countries, due to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), these diseases are infrequently encountered. While free-living amoebae are rarely encountered in a clinical setting, when infections do occur, they are often fatal. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to the survival of patients infected with these organisms. This paper reviews information on the diagnosis and treatment of nonenteric protozoal diseases in immunocompromised people, with a focus on patients infected with HIV. The nonenteric microsporidia, some trypanosomatids, Toxoplasma spp., Neospora spp., some free-living amoebae, Plasmodium spp., and Babesia spp. are discussed.

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“…Among these pathogens, 2 zoonotic Babesia species have been described in Europe: the well-known cattle parasite Babesia divergens (1) and the more recently reported roe deer parasite Babesia sp. EU1 (2)(3)(4). Biological transmission of B. divergens by I. ricinus ticks has been proven by in vivo experimental infections (5); however, quantitative transmission studies that visualize and quantify sporozoites have never been conducted.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Transmission of ZoonoticBabesiaspp. byIxodes ricinusTicks

Becker¹,

Bouju-Albert²,

Jouglin³

et al. 2009

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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To determine characteristics of natural transmission of Babesia sp. EU1 and B. divergens by adult Ixodes ricinus ticks, we examined tick salivary gland contents. We found that I. ricinus is a competent vector for EU1 and that their sporozoites directly invade erythrocytes. We conclude that EU1 is naturally transmitted by I. ricinus. Ixodes ricinus is a ubiquitous triphasic tick found commonly in Europe. This arthropod feeds on a wide variety of vertebrate hosts, including small rodents and wild and domestic ungulates. It is therefore a potential vector of numerous pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, mainly apicomplexans. Among these pathogens, 2 zoonotic Babesia species have been described in Europe: the well-known cattle parasite Babesia divergens (1) and the more recently reported roe deer parasite Babesia sp. EU1 (2-4). Biological transmission of B. divergens by I. ricinus ticks has been proven by in vivo experimental infections (5); however, quantitative transmission studies that visualize and quantify sporozoites have never been conducted. For Babesia sp. EU1, biological evidence of natural transmission by I. ricinus ticks is still lacking; its presence has been assessed only by DNA amplifi cation from whole ticks (4,(6)(7)(8). Therefore, to analyze transmission of zoonotic Babesia spp. by I. ricinus ticks, we visualized, isolated, and identifi ed infectious sporozoites from dissected tick salivary glands, the transmitting organs. The StudyIn 2008, ticks were collected from animals from 2 different biotopes where each Babesia species had been known to circulate: a farm on which a herd was infected with B. divergens and a reserve on which wild fauna were infected with Babesia sp. EU1. A dairy farm in La Verrie (Vendée, France) was selected as a favorable biotope for B. divergens transmission on the basis not only of the presence of numerous ticks on cows and in pastures in 2007 but also of the parasite circulation in the herd, attested by serologic testing (prevalence of 37.5% by immunofl uorescence antibody test [IFAT]) and confi rmed by its isolation from cattle erythrocytes (prevalence 25% by culture) (9). Of the cows tested by IFAT, 56% had positive results, which indicated that new infections from ticks were occurring within the herd. Because we assumed that sporozoite differentiation is stimulated by blood ingestion and because of experimental proof that female ticks can transmit B. divergens (10), we collected only adult ticks feeding on cows. The 324 collected ticks were morphologically identifi ed as I. ricinus and weighed to estimate their repletion status (range 3-398 mg). Of these, 223 ticks (4.7-339 mg) were dissected under a stereomicroscope to isolate both salivary glands, which were subsequently crushed in 30 μL phosphate-buffered saline in a 1.5-mL microtube with an adapted pestle. A droplet of this suspension was deposited on an 18-well slide, stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa, and examined under a light microscope. When parasites were seen, and for 41 additional negative sa...

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First case of human babesiosis in Germany – Clinical presentation and molecular characterisation of the pathogen

Cited by 141 publications

References 19 publications

Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin – An epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation

Babesia divergens-like organisms from free-ranging chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) and roe deer (Capreolus c. capreolus) are distinct from B. divergens of cattle origin – An epidemiological and molecular genetic investigation

Importance of Nonenteric Protozoan Infections in Immunocompromised People

Natural Transmission of ZoonoticBabesiaspp. byIxodes ricinusTicks

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