Babesiosis: A Common Vector Borne Co-Infection with Neurologic Symptoms

Besides the Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease, many ticks also carry other disease-causing pathogens called coinfections. One of those coinfections, Babesia, is a malaria-like parasite, and it infects the red blood cells of its host. The disease resulting from a Babesia infection is called babesiosis. It can be acquired through a vector bite, blood transfusion, and recently; literature supports evidence of congenital transfer. Illness from infection with Babesia has been identified in all 50 states. Risk for developing Babesiosis is associated with known tick, mite, lice, flea, fly bites. Due to lifestyle activities, children and young adults are especially at risk for vector borne illness such as Babesia due to their time outdoors. Tragically, if a child is infected prior to speech, their risk of misdiagnosis increases. Adolescents and young adults presenting with sudden or gradual neurologic and behavioral disturbance are at risk for misdiagnosis of new onset mental illness without any investigation to infectious cause.

Approximately 40% of people infected with Lyme disease may also be infected with Babesia. But actual incidents of the infection are likely underreported. The severity of Babesia symptoms varies from person to person. One person can exhibit mild or no symptoms despite being infected, while another person experiences severe or life-threatening symptoms. Clinical clues for infection with Babesia included abrupt or cyclical onset of “Malaria” like symptoms including headaches, vertigo, and drenching night sweats.

Currently, there aren’t any FDA-approved tests to screen blood donors for Babesia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Babesiosis is the most commonly reported transfusion-related parasitic infection in the United States.  Further, serum tests that are available for all Babesia as well as Bartonella and Borrelia are woefully inadequate due to poor serum detection reliability.