Babesia Species

Babesia are intracellular sporozoan parasites that is similar to plasmodia.They infect a range of animals such as deer, cattle, rodent, sadly, humans are accidental host.

 

Physiology and Structure:

Infected cells in humans resemble the ring forms of P. falciparum but malarial pigment or other stages of growth characteristically seen with plasmodial infections when not carefully observed.

 

Life cycle:

taken from: https://www.icp.ucl.ac.be/~opperd/parasites/images/babes_cycle


Clinical Syndromes:

An incubation period of 1 to 4 weels is conducted. In most cases, patients experience general malaise, fever without periodicity, chills, sweating, fatigue and weakness. The destruction of erythrocytes increases as the infection progresses which would lead to renal failure, low-grade parasitemia (persist for weeks) and immunosuppression. In addition, advanced age increase a person's susceptibility to infections and more severe diseases.


Treatment, Prevention and Control:

  • Treatment is usually conducted by a combination of clindamycin and quinine which is known for its effectiveness to elimate the parasite. Chloroquine phosphate treatment also offers symptomatic relief, however, parasites are still found in blood.
  • The use of protective clothing and insect repellents can minimize tick exxposure in endemic areas.
  • Ticks are fed on humans for a few hours thus, prompt removal of ticks can be protective.

 

 

We do not take credit for any of the information found in this website. All the information is obtained from various forms of literature.

Parasite is defined as an organism that derives its nutrients from another living organism, the host. Parasitic diseases are usually referred to those caused by protozoa, helminths and arthropods which love at the expense of their host. Successful parasites are the ones who are able to maintain their own life processes without killing their host.

Several ways to distinguish parasites infection and bacteria/viruses infection:

  1. Parasites have a complex life cycle that involves the formation of resistant cyst in the organism. (it can usually survive for long periods outside the host.)
  2. Life cycle might involve an insect vector (carrier) that is important for the transmission of disease. In most cases, it is impossible to eliminate the vector effectively.
  3. Some parasites are capable of infecting both humans and animals, thus both can act as reservoirs for the infection. This is true for most protozal infections carried by insects.
  4. Many parasites has life cycle that requires enough time to allow for the various stages to mature, either in soil or in an insect or host.