1
|
Wang G, Zhuge J, Wormser GP. Frequency of Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing for Borrelia burgdorferi on Whole Blood Samples That Tested Positive for Babesia microti by PCR from an Endemic Area for Both Infections in New York State. Pathogens 2023; 12:1066. [PMID: 37624026 PMCID: PMC10459504 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Because both Babesia microti and Borrelia burgdorferi can be transmitted by the bite of a single coinfected Ixodes scapularis tick, an attempt was made to determine the frequency with which whole blood samples that tested positive for B. microti infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) would also test positive by PCR for B. burgdorferi infection. Over a 7-year period from 2013 to 2019, 119 different patients tested positive for B. microti infection by PCR on at least one blood sample. Among the 118 patients with a positive B. microti PCR blood sample that could also be tested by a qualitative PCR for B. burgdorferi, only one patient tested positive (0.85%, 95% CI 0.02 to 4.6%). Routine PCR testing of every B. microti PCR-positive blood specimen to detect B. burgdorferi coinfection appears to have a low yield, even in a highly endemic geographic area for both of these infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guiqing Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Jian Zhuge
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Gary P. Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
A Case Report and Literature Review of Babesiosis-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Case Rep Infect Dis 2022; 2022:4318731. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/4318731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis, a tick-borne protozoan disease, has been increasing in frequency in recent years. Familiarity with presentations of babesiosis is important for clinicians. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rarely seen complication of severe babesiosis. In most cases, the patients with babesiosis developed ARDS several days after initiation of antibabesia therapy. We present a unique case of babesiosis without any respiratory symptoms on presentation who developed ARDS within 24 hours of babesiosis treatment initiation. Furthermore, we reviewed published cases of ARDS in babesiosis.
Collapse
|
3
|
Boyer PH, Lenormand C, Jaulhac B, Talagrand-Reboul E. Human Co-Infections between Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Other Ixodes-Borne Microorganisms: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030282. [PMID: 35335606 PMCID: PMC8948674 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
When it comes to tick-borne diseases, co-infections are often mentioned. This concept includes several entities. On the one hand, tick vectors or vertebrate reservoir host can harbor several microorganisms that can be pathogenic for humans. On the other hand, human co-infections can also be understood in different ways, ranging from seropositivity without clinical symptoms to co-disease, i.e., the simultaneous clinical expression of infections by two tick-borne microorganisms. The latter, although regularly speculated, is not often reported. Hence, we conducted a systematic review on co-infections between B. burgdorferi s.l., the etiological agent of Lyme borreliosis, and other microorganisms potentially transmitted to humans by Ixodes spp. ticks. A total of 68 relevant articles were included, presenting 655 cases of possible co-infections. Most cases of co-infections corresponded to patients with one tick-borne disease and presenting antibody against another tick-borne microorganism. Co-disease was particularly frequent in two situations: patients with clinical symptoms of high fever and erythema migrans (EM), and patients with neurological symptoms linked to the TBEv or a neuroborreliosis. No impact on severity was evidenced. Further studies are needed to better appreciate the frequency and the impact of co-infections between several tick-borne microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre H. Boyer
- Institut de Bactériologie, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, UR7290, ITI InnoVec, 3 Rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.L.); (B.J.); (E.T.-R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Cédric Lenormand
- Institut de Bactériologie, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, UR7290, ITI InnoVec, 3 Rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.L.); (B.J.); (E.T.-R.)
- Service de Dermatologie, Clinique Dermatologique, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Benoît Jaulhac
- Institut de Bactériologie, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, UR7290, ITI InnoVec, 3 Rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.L.); (B.J.); (E.T.-R.)
- French National Reference Center for Borrelia, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Emilie Talagrand-Reboul
- Institut de Bactériologie, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, UR7290, ITI InnoVec, 3 Rue Koeberlé, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.L.); (B.J.); (E.T.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|