Babesiosis
in Upstate NY: PCR and RNA Evidence of Co-Infection
with Babesia microti Among Ixodidae Ticks in Dutchess County, NY
Dr.
Richard Horowitz
12th International Scientific
Conference on Lyme Disease & Other Spirochetal & Tick-Borne Disorders
New York City / New Jersey April 1999
Background:
Until recently, Babesiosis
has not been recognized as existing in upper NY State. Meldrum et al (Clin.
Infect. Dis. 1992 Dec; 15(6): 1019-1230) reported epidemiological data on
136 cases of human babesiosis, reported from laboratories and clinicians
in the State of NY from 1982 to 1991. All but two patients who had traveled
to Nantucket Island, in Massachusetts, acquired the disease in Suffolk County,
Long Island. This report constitutes the first evidence of co-infection
among Ixodidae ticks with Babesiosis in Upstate NY.
Methodology:
30 ticks preserved in
ethanol were sent from the laboratory of Dr. Richard Ostfeld at the Institute
of Ecosystems Studies in Millbrook, NY to IGeneX Laboratories in Palo Alto,
California, where PCR analysis was performed, in November 1998. 192 serum
specimens were sent from the medical office of Dr. Richard Horowitz to IGeneX
Laboratories from January 1998 until November 1998 for PCR (DNA) and/or
RNA analysis for Babesia microti.
Results:
13/30 ticks were PCR
positive for Babesia microti, yielding an infection rate of 43.3%. 72 of
189 serum specimens were PCR positive, 38 of 58 serum specimens tested were
RNA positive, and 15 were both PCR and RNA positive, yielding infection
rates of 38% and 66% respectively among the population tested.
Conclusion:
Ixodes ticks in Dutchess
County, NY are co-infected with Babesia microti. Ostfelt et al (Journal
of Medical Entomology 35: 901-903) reported data from adult ticks collected
at the Institute for Ecosystem Studies in Autumn 1996, where 188 ticks were
examined for both Borrelia and Ehrlichia, but not for Babesia. 66% were
infected with Borrelia, 42.6% with Ehrlichia, and 28.2% with both organisms.
Lyme disease patients with chronic persistent symptomatology in Upstate
NY therefore need to be tested and appropriately treated for multiple co-infections,
including Babesiosis.
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