1
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Cai YC, Yang CL, Song P, Chen M, Chen JX. The protective effects of BMSA1 and BMSA5-1-1 proteins against Babesia microti infection. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2024; 62:53-63. [PMID: 38443770 PMCID: PMC10915264 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The intracellular parasite Babesia microti is among the most significant species causing human babesiosis and is an emerging threat to human health worldwide. Unravelling the pathogenic molecular mechanisms of babesiosis is crucial in developing new diagnostic and preventive methods. This study assessed how priming with B. microti surface antigen 1 (BHSA 1) and seroreactive antigen 5-1-1 (BHSA 5-1-1) mediate protection against B. microti infection. The results showed that 500 µg/ml rBMSA1 and rBMSA5-1-1 partially inhibited the invasion of B. microti in vitro by 42.0 ± 3.0%, and 48.0 ± 2.1%, respectively. Blood smears revealed that peak infection at 7 days post-infection (dpi) was 19.6%, 24.7%, and 46.7% in the rBMSA1, rBmSA5-1-1, compared to the control groups (healthy mice infected with B. microti only), respectively. Routine blood tests showed higher white blood cell, red blood cell counts, and haemoglobin levels in the 2 groups (BMSA1 and BMSA5 5-1-1) than in the infection control group at 0-28 dpi. Moreover, the 2 groups had higher serum interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-17A levels, and lower IL-10 levels than the infection control group throughout the study. These 2 potential vaccine candidate proteins partially inhibit in vitro and in vivo B. microti infection and enhance host immunological response against B. microti infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chun Cai
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200025,
China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research)
| | - Chun Li Yang
- Department of Clinical Research, the 903rd Hospital of PLA, Hangzhou 310013,
China
| | - Peng Song
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200025,
China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research)
| | - Muxin Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200025,
China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research)
| | - Jia Xu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research); Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Public Health; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200025,
China
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research)
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2
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Eder AF, O'Callaghan S, Kumar S. Reduced Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Babesiosis With Blood Donor Testing. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:228-230. [PMID: 37665205 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anne F Eder
- Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sharon O'Callaghan
- Office of Compliance and Biologics Quality, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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3
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Drews SJ, Kjemtrup AM, Krause PJ, Lambert G, Leiby DA, Lewin A, O'Brien SF, Renaud C, Tonnetti L, Bloch EM. Transfusion-transmitted Babesia spp.: a changing landscape of epidemiology, regulation, and risk mitigation. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0126822. [PMID: 37750699 PMCID: PMC10595070 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01268-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia spp. are tick-borne parasites with a global distribution and diversity of vertebrate hosts. Over the next several decades, climate change is expected to impact humans, vectors, and vertebrate hosts and change the epidemiology of Babesia. Although humans are dead-end hosts for tick-transmitted Babesia, human-to-human transmission of Babesia spp. from transfusion of red blood cells and whole blood-derived platelet concentrates has been reported. In most patients, transfusion-transmitted Babesia (TTB) results in a moderate-to-severe illness. Currently, in North America, most cases of TTB have been described in the United States. TTB cases outside North America are rare, but case numbers may change over time with increased recognition of babesiosis and as the epidemiology of Babesia is impacted by climate change. Therefore, TTB is a concern of microbiologists working in blood operator settings, as well as in clinical settings where transfusion occurs. Microbiologists play an important role in deploying blood donor screening assays in Babesia endemic regions, identifying changing risks for Babesia in non-endemic areas, investigating recipients of blood products for TTB, and drafting TTB policies and guidelines. In this review, we provide an overview of the clinical presentation and epidemiology of TTB. We identify approaches and technologies to reduce the risk of collecting blood products from Babesia-infected donors and describe how investigations of TTB are undertaken. We also describe how microbiologists in Babesia non-endemic regions can assess for changing risks of TTB and decide when to focus on laboratory-test-based approaches or pathogen reduction to reduce TTB risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Drews
- Microbiology, Donation Policy and Studies, Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne M. Kjemtrup
- California Department of Public Health, Vector-Borne Disease Section, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Peter J. Krause
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Grayson Lambert
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - David A. Leiby
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, USA
| | - Antoine Lewin
- Epidemiology, Surveillance and Biological Risk Assessment, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Héma-Québec, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Département d'Obstétrique et de Gynécologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sheila F. O'Brien
- Epidemiology and Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, Donation Policy and Studies, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christian Renaud
- Department of Microbiology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laura Tonnetti
- American Red Cross, Scientific Affairs, Holland Laboratories for the Biomedical Sciences, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Evan M. Bloch
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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4
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Mordue DG, Hale SJ, Dennis WE, Vuong CV, Li XM, Yang N, Wormser GP. Plasma Blood Levels of Tafenoquine following a Single Oral Dosage in BALBc Mice with Acute Babesia microti Infection That Resulted in Rapid Clearance of Microscopically Detectable Parasitemia. Pathogens 2023; 12:1113. [PMID: 37764921 PMCID: PMC10534932 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies of mice infected with Babesia microti have shown that a single dose of tafenoquine administered orally is extremely effective at decreasing microscopically detectable parasitemia. However, a critical limitation of studies to date is the lack of data concerning the plasma levels of tafenoquine that are needed to treat babesiosis. In the current study, we begin to address this gap by examining the plasma levels of tafenoquine associated with the rapid reduction of B. microti patent parasitemia in a mouse model of babesiosis. In the current study, we infected BALB/c mice with 1 × 107B. microti-infected red blood cells. Two days post-infection, mice were treated with 20 mg/kg of tafenoquine succinate or vehicle control administered orally by gavage. Parasitemia and plasma levels of tafenoquine were evaluated every 24 h post-treatment for 96 h. This allowed us to correlate blood plasma levels of tafenoquine with reductions in parasitemia in treated mice. Consistent with previous studies, a single oral dose of 20 mg/kg tafenoquine resulted in a rapid reduction in parasitemia. Plasma levels of tafenoquine 24 h post-administration ranged from 347 to 503 ng/mL and declined thereafter. This blood plasma tafenoquine level is similar to that achieved in humans using the current FDA-approved dose for the prevention of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana G. Mordue
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10520, USA
| | - Synthia J. Hale
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10520, USA
| | - William E. Dennis
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Department of Drug Development, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (W.E.D.)
| | - Chau V. Vuong
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, Department of Drug Development, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (W.E.D.)
| | - Xiu-Min Li
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10520, USA
| | - Nan Yang
- General Nutraceutical Technology, LLC, Elmsford, NY 10523, USA;
| | - Gary P. Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10520, USA;
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5
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Kasirye R, Hume HA, Bloch EM, Lubega I, Kyeyune D, Shrestha R, Ddungu H, Musana HW, Dhabangi A, Ouma J, Eroju P, de Lange T, Tartakovsky M, White JL, Kakura C, Fowler MG, Musoke P, Nolan M, Grabowski MK, Moulton LH, Stramer SL, Whitby D, Zimmerman PA, Wabwire D, Kajja I, McCullough J, Goodrich R, Quinn TC, Cortes R, Ness PM, Tobian AAR. The Mirasol Evaluation of Reduction in Infections Trial (MERIT): study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Trials 2022; 23:257. [PMID: 35379302 PMCID: PMC8978156 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) are a global health challenge. One new approach to reduce TTIs is the use of pathogen reduction technology (PRT). In vitro, Mirasol PRT reduces the infectious load in whole blood (WB) by at least 99%. However, there are limited in vivo data on the safety and efficacy of Mirasol PRT. The objective of the Mirasol Evaluation of Reduction in Infections Trial (MERIT) is to investigate whether Mirasol PRT of WB can prevent seven targeted TTIs (malaria, bacteria, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis E virus, and human herpesvirus 8). METHODS MERIT is a randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Recruitment started in November 2019 and is expected to end in 2024. Consenting participants who require transfusion as medically indicated at three hospitals in Kampala, Uganda, will be randomized to receive either Mirasol-treated WB (n = 1000) or standard WB (n = 1000). TTI testing will be performed on donor units and recipients (pre-transfusion and day 2, day 7, week 4, and week 10 after transfusion). The primary endpoint is the cumulative incidence of one or more targeted TTIs from the Mirasol-treated WB vs. standard WB in a previously negative recipient for the specific TTI that is also detected in the donor unit. Log-binomial regression models will be used to estimate the relative risk reduction of a TTI by 10 weeks associated with Mirasol PRT. The clinical effectiveness of Mirasol WB compared to standard WB products in recipients will also be evaluated. DISCUSSION Screening infrastructure for TTIs in low-resource settings has gaps, even for major TTIs. PRT presents a fast, potentially cost-effective, and easy-to-use technology to improve blood safety. MERIT is the largest clinical trial designed to evaluate the use of Mirasol PRT for WB. In addition, this trial will provide data on TTIs in Uganda. TRIAL REGISTRATION Mirasol Evaluation of Reduction in Infections Trial (MERIT) NCT03737669 . Registered on 9 November 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Kasirye
- grid.421981.7MUJHU Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Heather A. Hume
- grid.14848.310000 0001 2292 3357Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Evan M. Bloch
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Irene Lubega
- grid.421981.7MUJHU Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Ruchee Shrestha
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Henry Ddungu
- grid.512320.70000 0004 6015 3252Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Aggrey Dhabangi
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Ouma
- grid.421981.7MUJHU Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Telsa de Lange
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Michael Tartakovsky
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Jodie L. White
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Ceasar Kakura
- grid.421981.7MUJHU Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary Glenn Fowler
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Philippa Musoke
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Monica Nolan
- grid.421981.7MUJHU Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - M. Kate Grabowski
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Lawrence H. Moulton
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of International Health, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Susan L. Stramer
- grid.281926.60000 0001 2214 8581Department of Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, MD USA
| | - Denise Whitby
- grid.418021.e0000 0004 0535 8394Leidos Biomedical Research, AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD USA
| | - Peter A. Zimmerman
- grid.67105.350000 0001 2164 3847The Center for Global Health & Diseases, Pathology Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA
| | - Deo Wabwire
- grid.421981.7MUJHU Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Kajja
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Department of Orthopaedics, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeffrey McCullough
- grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Raymond Goodrich
- grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA
| | - Thomas C. Quinn
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of International Health, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | | | - Paul M. Ness
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Aaron A. R. Tobian
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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6
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Sarker T, Katz LM, Bloch EM, Goel R. Blood Product (Donor) Noninfectious and Infectious Testing and Modification. Clin Lab Med 2021; 41:579-598. [PMID: 34689966 DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Blood transfusion begins with safe donor selection and testing. In the United States, the blood supply and transfusion are highly regulated. Blood transfusion safety is multifaceted, whereby each of the elements of the blood safety value chain, spanning donor recruitment and qualification, to collection, blood processing, testing, transfusion practice, and posttransfusion surveillance, must be optimized to minimize risk. Pathogen inactivation is a promising approach to decrease bacterial contamination of platelets, inactivate parasites and viruses, and decrease risks associated with emerging and unidentified pathogens. This article offers an overview of blood donor infectious and noninfectious testing in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Sarker
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Louis M Katz
- Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Davenport, IA, USA; Carver College of Medicine, UIHC, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Evan M Bloch
- Department of Pathology, Transfusion Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street/Carnegie 446 D1, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ruchika Goel
- Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Davenport, IA, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU SOM; Division of Transfusion Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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7
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Bloch EM, Krause PJ, Tonnetti L. Preventing Transfusion-Transmitted Babesiosis. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091176. [PMID: 34578209 PMCID: PMC8468711 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia are tick-borne intra-erythrocytic parasites and the causative agents of babesiosis. Babesia, which are readily transfusion transmissible, gained recognition as a major risk to the blood supply, particularly in the United States (US), where Babesia microti is endemic. Many of those infected with Babesia remain asymptomatic and parasitemia may persist for months or even years following infection, such that seemingly healthy blood donors are unaware of their infection. By contrast, transfusion recipients are at high risk of severe babesiosis, accounting for the high morbidity and mortality (~19%) observed in transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). An increase in cases of tick-borne babesiosis and TTB prompted over a decade-long investment in blood donor surveillance, research, and assay development to quantify and contend with TTB. This culminated in the adoption of regional blood donor testing in the US. We describe the evolution of the response to TTB in the US and offer some insight into the risk of TTB in other countries. Not only has this response advanced blood safety, it has accelerated the development of novel serological and molecular assays that may be applied broadly, affording insight into the global epidemiology and immunopathogenesis of human babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M. Bloch
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-614-4246
| | - Peter J. Krause
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
| | - Laura Tonnetti
- Scientific Affairs, American Red Cross, Holland Laboratories, Rockville, MD 21287, USA;
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8
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Hildebrandt A, Zintl A, Montero E, Hunfeld KP, Gray J. Human Babesiosis in Europe. Pathogens 2021; 10:1165. [PMID: 34578196 PMCID: PMC8468516 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. The first case of human babesiosis in Europe was described in the late 1950s and since then more than 60 cases have been reported in Europe. While the disease is relatively rare in Europe, it is significant because the majority of cases present as life-threatening fulminant infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients. Although appearing clinically similar to human babesiosis elsewhere, particularly in the USA, most European forms of the disease are distinct entities, especially concerning epidemiology, human susceptibility to infection and clinical management. This paper describes the history of the disease and reviews all published cases that have occurred in Europe with regard to the identity and genetic characteristics of the etiological agents, pathogenesis, aspects of epidemiology including the eco-epidemiology of the vectors, the clinical courses of infection, diagnostic tools and clinical management and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hildebrandt
- St. Vincenz Hospital Datteln, Department of Internal Medicine I, 45711 Datteln, Germany;
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Annetta Zintl
- UCD School of Veterinary Sciences, University College Dublin, D04 W6F6 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Estrella Montero
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Klaus-Peter Hunfeld
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology & Infection Control, Northwest Medical Center, Medical Faculty Goethe University Frankfurt, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, 60488 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
- Society for Promoting Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratories (INSTAND, e.v.), Ubierstraße 20, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
- ESGBOR Study Group of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), ESCMID Executive Office, P.O. Box 214, 4010 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy Gray
- UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Dublin, Ireland
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9
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Scott JD, Pascoe EL, Sajid MS, Foley JE. Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected in Southern Ontario, Canada. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030327. [PMID: 33802071 PMCID: PMC7999371 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne zoonotic diseases have an economic and societal impact on the well-being of people worldwide. In the present study, a high frequency of Babesia odocoilei, a red blood cell parasite, was observed in the Huronia area of Ontario, Canada. Notably, 71% (15/21) blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, collected from canine and feline hosts were infected with B. odocoilei. Consistent with U.S. studies, 12.5% (4/32) of questing I. scapularis adults collected by flagging in various parts of southwestern Ontario were positive for B. odocoilei. Our data show that all B. odocoilei strains in the present study have consistent genetic identity, and match type strains in the GenBank database. The high incidence of B. odocoilei in the Huronia area indicates that this babesial infection is established, and is cycling enzootically in the natural environment. Our data confirm that B. odocoilei has wide distribution in southern Ontario.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Scott
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.L.P.); (J.E.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Emily L. Pascoe
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.L.P.); (J.E.F.)
| | - Muhammad S. Sajid
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.L.P.); (J.E.F.)
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan;
| | - Janet E. Foley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (E.L.P.); (J.E.F.)
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10
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McCullough J. Transfusion‐Transmitted Diseases. Transfus Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119599586.ch17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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11
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Menis M, Whitaker BI, Wernecke M, Jiao Y, Eder A, Kumar S, Xu W, Liao J, Wei Y, MaCurdy TE, Kelman JA, Anderson SA, Forshee RA. Babesiosis Occurrence Among United States Medicare Beneficiaries, Ages 65 and Older, During 2006-2017: Overall and by State and County of Residence. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 8:ofaa608. [PMID: 33598501 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human babesiosis is a mild-to-severe parasitic infection that poses health concerns especially in older and other at-risk populations. The study objective was to assess babesiosis occurrence among US Medicare beneficiaries, ages 65 and older, during 2006-2017. Methods Our retrospective claims-based study used Medicare databases. Babesiosis cases were identified using recorded diagnosis codes. The study estimated rates (per 100 000 beneficiary-years) overall, by year, diagnosis month, demographics, and state and county of residence. Results Nationwide, 19 469 beneficiaries had babesiosis recorded, at a rate of 6 per 100 000 person-years, ranging from 4 in 2006 to 9 in 2017 (P < .05). The highest babesiosis rates by state were in the following: Massachusetts (62), Rhode Island (61), Connecticut (51), New York (30), and New Jersey (19). The highest rates by county were in the following: Nantucket, Massachusetts (1089); Dukes, Massachusetts (236); Barnstable, Massachusetts (213); and Dutchess, New York (205). Increasing rates, from 2006 through 2017 (P < .05), were identified in multiple states, including states previously considered nonendemic. New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Delaware saw rates increase by several times. Conclusions Our 12-year study shows substantially increasing babesiosis diagnosis trends, with highest rates in well established endemic states. It also suggests expansion of babesiosis infections in other states and highlights the utility of real-world evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Menis
- Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Anne Eder
- Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Wenjie Xu
- Acumen LLC, Burlingame, California, USA
| | | | - Yuqin Wei
- Acumen LLC, Burlingame, California, USA
| | - Thomas E MaCurdy
- Acumen LLC, Burlingame, California, USA.,Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Kelman
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW As human babesiosis caused by apicomplexan parasites of the Babesia genus is associated with transfusion-transmitted illness and relapsing disease in immunosuppressed populations, it is important to report novel findings relating to parasite biology that may be responsible for such pathology. Blood screening tools recently licensed by the FDA are also described to allow understanding of their impact on keeping the blood supply well tolerated. RECENT FINDINGS Reports of tick-borne cases within new geographical regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the USA, through Eastern Europe and into China are also on the rise. Novel features of the parasite lifecycle that underlie the basis of parasite persistence have recently been characterized. These merit consideration in deployment of both detection, treatment and mitigation tools such as pathogen inactivation technology. The impact of new blood donor screening tests in reducing transfusion transmitted babesiosis is discussed. SUMMARY New Babesia species have been identified globally, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is rapidly changing, making it clear that human babesiosis is a serious public health concern that requires close monitoring and effective intervention measures. Unlike other erythrocytic parasites, Babesia exploits unconventional lifecycle strategies that permit host cycles of different lengths to ensure survival in hostile environments. With the licensure of new blood screening tests, incidence of transfusion transmission babesiosis has decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, USA
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13
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Jaijyan DK, Govindasamy K, Singh J, Bhattacharya S, Singh AP. Establishment of a stable transfection method in Babesia microti and identification of a novel bidirectional promoter of Babesia microti. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15614. [PMID: 32973208 PMCID: PMC7515924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72489-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti, an emerging human pathogen, is primarily transmitted through a bite of an infected tick and blood transfusions in human. Stable transfection technique has been reported in many protozoan parasites over the past few years. However, in vivo transient and stable transfection method has not been established for Babesia microti. Here, for the first time, we present a method of transient as well as stable transfection of the Babesia microti (B. microti) in the in vivo conditions. We have identified a novel promoter of B. microti. We also demonstrated that Plasmodium berghei DHFR promoter is recognized and functional in B. microti. We show that BM-CTQ41297 promoter control the expression of two genes, which are present on either side and thus represents a bi-functional promoter in B. microti. The predicted promoter activity values using Promoter 2.0 program is higher for BM- CTQ41297 promoter than strong promoters such as β-actin, ef-1β, and many other promoters. Furthermore, we discovered a non-essential locus for the genetic manipulation of the parasite, allowing us to stably integrate foreign genes; GFP, mCherry, into the B. microti. The transfection using an electroporation method and genetic manipulation of B. microti is now achievable and it is possible to obtain transfected viable parasites under in vivo growing conditions. The growth curve analysis of transfected and WT B. microti are similar indicating no defects in the transgenic parasites. This study will enable other researchers in understanding the B. microti biology, host modulation and diverse parasite developmental stages using reverse genetics and holds great potential to identify novel drug targets and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabbu Kumar Jaijyan
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India
| | | | - Jyoti Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India
| | - Shreya Bhattacharya
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India
| | - Agam Prasad Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India.
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14
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Tang TTM, Tran MH. Transfusion transmitted babesiosis: A systematic review of reported cases. Transfus Apher Sci 2020; 59:102843. [PMID: 32616365 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2020.102843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion transmitted babesiosis (TTB) has a high mortality rate but may go unrecognized, particularly in non-endemic areas. We therefore conducted a systematic review to better characterize clinical aspects of TTB. METHODS A literature search was conducted in PubMed and CINAHL databases, from which 25 eligible articles describing 60 TTB patients met criteria for data extraction. RESULTS Symptom evaluation was provided for 25 implicated donors: 18/25 (72%) were asymptomatic while 7/25 (28%) had mild flu-like symptoms but were asymptomatic at time of donation. It was common for a single donor or donation to infect multiple patients. Where reported, species included B. microti - 54/60 (90%), B. duncani - 3/60 (5%), and B. divergens-like/MO-1 - 1/60 (2%). Most TTB patients (44/60, 73%) resided in endemic states, while most TTB deaths 6/9 (67%) occurred in non-endemic states. Severity of hemolysis was proportional to degree of parasitemia. Mortality in our series was 9/60 (15%); most deaths occurred at extremes of the age spectrum: 6/9 non-survivors were aged >55 years, 2/9 were <1 year, only 1/9 was 2-54 years. Number of comorbidities was higher among non-survivors (median = 4) compared to survivors (median = 1). CONCLUSIONS All implicated donors (for which symptoms data were reported) resulting in TTB infections were asymptomatic at the time of donation, and it was common for a single donor or donation to infect multiple patients. Mortality of TTB appeared highest among those with more comorbidities and in non-endemic states. Heightened awareness of this diagnosis is key in its recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minh-Ha Tran
- UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, United States.
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15
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Young KM, Corrin T, Wilhelm B, Uhland C, Greig J, Mascarenhas M, Waddell LA. Zoonotic Babesia: A scoping review of the global evidence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226781. [PMID: 31887120 PMCID: PMC6936817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesiosis is a parasitic vector-borne disease of increasing public health importance. Since the first human case was reported in 1957, zoonotic species have been reported on nearly every continent. Zoonotic Babesia is vectored by Ixodes ticks and is commonly transmitted in North America by Ixodes scapularis, the tick species responsible for transmitting the pathogens that also cause Lyme disease, Powassan virus, and anaplasmosis in humans. Predicted climate change is expected to impact the spread of vectors, which is likely to affect the distribution of vector-borne diseases including human babesiosis. METHODS A scoping review has been executed to characterize the global evidence on zoonotic babesiosis. Articles were compiled through a comprehensive search of relevant bibliographic databases and targeted government websites. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts for relevance and characterized full-text articles using a relevance screening and data characterization tool developed a priori. RESULTS This review included 1394 articles relevant to human babesiosis and/or zoonotic Babesia species. The main zoonotic species were B. microti, B. divergens, B. duncani and B. venatorum. Articles described a variety of study designs used to study babesiosis in humans and/or zoonotic Babesia species in vectors, animal hosts, and in vitro cell cultures. Topics of study included: pathogenesis (680 articles), epidemiology (480), parasite characterization (243), diagnostic test accuracy (98), mitigation (94), treatment (65), transmission (54), surveillance (29), economic analysis (7), and societal knowledge (1). No articles reported predictive models investigating the impact of climate change on Babesia species. CONCLUSION Knowledge gaps in the current evidence include research on the economic burden associated with babesiosis, societal knowledge studies, surveillance of Babesia species in vectors and animal hosts, and predictive models on the impact of climate change. The scoping review results describe the current knowledge and knowledge gaps on zoonotic Babesia which can be used to inform future policy and decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin M. Young
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tricia Corrin
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Carl Uhland
- Independent Consultant, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Judy Greig
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mariola Mascarenhas
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Waddell
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Hong SH, Kim SY, Song BG, Rho JR, Cho CR, Kim CN, Um TH, Kwak YG, Cho SH, Lee SE. Detection and characterization of an emerging type of Babesia sp. similar to Babesia motasi for the first case of human babesiosis and ticks in Korea. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:869-878. [PMID: 31179860 PMCID: PMC6566668 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1622997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-transmitted intraerythrocytic zoonosis. In Korea, the first mortalities were reported in 2005 due to Babesia sp. detection in sheep; herein we report epidemiological and genetic characteristics of a second case of babesiosis. Microscopic analysis of patient blood revealed polymorphic merozoites. To detect Babesia spp., PCR was performed using Babesia specific primers for β-tubulin, 18S rDNA, COB, and COX3 gene fragments. 18S rDNA analysis for Babesia sp., showed 98% homology with ovine Babesia sp. and with Babesia infections in Korea in 2005. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA, COB, and COX3 revealed close associations with B. motasi. For identifying the infectious agent, Haemaphysalis longicornis (296) and Haemaphysalis flava (301) were collected around the previous residence of the babesiosis patient. Babesia genes were identified in three H. longicornis: one sample was identified as B. microti and two samples were 98% homologous to B. motasi. Our study is the first direct confirmation of the infectious agent for human babesiosis. This case most likely resulted from tick bites from ticks near the patient house of the babesiosis patient. H. longicornis has been implicated as a vector of B. microti and other Babesia sp. infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hee Hong
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Seong-Yoon Kim
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Bong Goo Song
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Jong-Rul Rho
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Chong Rae Cho
- b Department of Laboratory Medicine , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Chul-Nam Kim
- c Department of Surgery , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Tae-Hyun Um
- b Department of Laboratory Medicine , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Yee Gyung Kwak
- d Department of Internal Medicine , Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital , Goyang , Korea
| | - Shin-Hyeong Cho
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
| | - Sang-Eun Lee
- a Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases , Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Cheongju , Korea
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17
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Babesia divergens: A Drive to Survive. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8030095. [PMID: 31269710 PMCID: PMC6789513 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia divergens is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes zoonotic disease. Central to its pathogenesis is the ability of the parasite to invade host red blood cells of diverse species, and, once in the host blood stream, to manipulate the composition of its population to allow it to endure unfavorable conditions. Here we will review key in vitro studies relating to the survival strategies that B. divergens adopts during its intraerythrocytic development to persist and how proliferation is restored in the parasite population once optimum conditions return.
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18
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Cursino-Santos JR, Singh M, Senaldi E, Manwani D, Yazdanbakhsh K, Lobo CA. Altered parasite life-cycle processes characterize Babesia divergens infection in human sickle cell anemia. Haematologica 2019; 104:2189-2199. [PMID: 30923098 PMCID: PMC6821620 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.214304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia divergens is an intra-erythrocytic parasite that causes malaria-like symptoms in infected people. As the erythrocyte provides the parasite with the infra-structure to grow and multiply, any perturbation to the cell should impact parasite viability. Support for this comes from the multitude of studies that have shown that the sickle trait has in fact been selected because of the protection it provides against a related Apicomplexan parasite, Plasmodium, that causes malaria. In this paper, we examine the impact of both the sickle cell anemia and sickle trait red blood cell (RBC) environment on different aspects of the B. divergens life-cycle, and reveal that multiple aspects of parasite biological processes are altered in the mutant sickle anemia RBC. Such processes include parasite population progression, caused potentially by defective merozoite infectivity and/or defective egress from the sickle cell, resulting in severely lowered parasitemia in these cells with sickle cell anemia. In contrast, the sickle trait RBC provide a supportive environment permitting in vitro infection rates comparable to those of wild-type RBC. The elucidation of these naturally occurring RBC resistance mechanisms is needed to shed light on host-parasite interaction, lend evolutionary insights into these related blood-borne parasites, and to provide new insights into the development of therapies against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeny R Cursino-Santos
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Manpreet Singh
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Eric Senaldi
- Medical Services New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Deepa Manwani
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Karina Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Complement Biology Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
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19
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Magni R, Luchini A, Liotta L, Molestina RE. Analysis of the Babesia microti proteome in infected red blood cells by a combination of nanotechnology and mass spectrometry. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:139-144. [PMID: 30391228 PMCID: PMC10548858 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Proteomics of Babesia microti has lagged behind other apicomplexans despite recent genome and transcriptome studies. Here, we used a combination of nanotechnology and mass spectrometry to provide a proteomic profile of B. microti acute infection. We identified ∼500 parasite proteins in blood with functions such as transport, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, proteolysis, DNA and RNA metabolism, signaling, translation, lipid biosynthesis, and motility and invasion. We also identified surface antigens with roles in the immune response to the parasite. This first evaluation of the B. microti proteome in erythrocytes provides information for the study of intracellular survival and development of diagnostic tools using mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Magni
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Alessandra Luchini
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Lance Liotta
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Robert E Molestina
- Protistology Laboratory, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
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20
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Yi W, Bao W, Rodriguez M, Liu Y, Singh M, Ramlall V, Cursino-Santos JR, Zhong H, Elton CM, Wright GJ, Mendelson A, An X, Lobo CA, Yazdanbakhsh K. Robust adaptive immune response against Babesia microti infection marked by low parasitemia in a murine model of sickle cell disease. Blood Adv 2018; 2:3462-3478. [PMID: 30518538 PMCID: PMC6290097 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018026468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia microti is the number 1 cause of transfusion-transmitted infection and can induce serious, often life-threatening complications in immunocompromised individuals including transfusion-dependent patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite the existence of strong long-lasting immunological protection against a second infection in mouse models, little is known about the cell types or the kinetics of protective adaptive immunity mounted following Babesia infection, especially in infection-prone SCD that are thought to have an impaired immune system. Here, we show, using a mouse B microti infection model, that infected wild-type (WT) mice mount a very strong adaptive immune response, characterized by (1) coordinated induction of a robust germinal center (GC) reaction; (2) development of follicular helper T (TFH) cells that comprise ∼30% of splenic CD4+ T cells at peak expansion by 10 days postinfection; and (3) high levels of effector T-cell cytokines, including interleukin 21 and interferon γ, with an increase in the secretion of antigen (Ag)-specific antibodies (Abs). Strikingly, the Townes SCD mouse model had significantly lower levels of parasitemia. Despite a highly disorganized splenic architecture before infection, these mice elicited a surprisingly robust adaptive immune response (including comparable levels of GC B cells, TFH cells, and effector cytokines as control and sickle trait mice), but higher immunoglobulin G responses against 2 Babesia-specific proteins, which may contain potential immunogenic epitopes. Together, these studies establish the robust emergence of adaptive immunity to Babesia even in immunologically compromised SCD mice. Identification of potentially immunogenic epitopes has implications to identify long-term carriers, and aid Ag-specific vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weili Bao
- Laboratory of Complement Biology and
| | - Marilis Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Blood-Borne Parasites, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Manpreet Singh
- Laboratory of Blood-Borne Parasites, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Hui Zhong
- Laboratory of Complement Biology and
| | - Catherine M Elton
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and
| | - Gavin J Wright
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom; and
| | | | - Xiuli An
- Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
| | - Cheryl A Lobo
- Laboratory of Blood-Borne Parasites, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
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21
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Bakkour S, Chafets DM, Wen L, Muench MO, Telford SR, Erwin JL, Levin AE, Self D, Brès V, Linnen JM, Lee TH, Busch MP. Minimal infectious dose and dynamics of Babesia microti
parasitemia in a murine model. Transfusion 2018; 58:2903-2910. [DOI: 10.1111/trf.14889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Bakkour
- Blood Systems Research Institute; San Francisco California
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; University of California; San Francisco California
| | | | - Li Wen
- Blood Systems Research Institute; San Francisco California
| | - Marcus O. Muench
- Blood Systems Research Institute; San Francisco California
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; University of California; San Francisco California
| | - Sam R. Telford
- Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine; North Grafton Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Deanna Self
- Grifols Diagnostic Solutions, Inc.; San Diego California
| | - Vanessa Brès
- Grifols Diagnostic Solutions, Inc.; San Diego California
| | | | - Tzong-Hae Lee
- Blood Systems Research Institute; San Francisco California
| | - Michael P. Busch
- Blood Systems Research Institute; San Francisco California
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; University of California; San Francisco California
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22
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Xu B, Liu XF, Cai YC, Huang JL, Zhang RX, Chen JH, Cheng XJ, Zhou X, Xu XN, Zhou Y, Zhang T, Chen SB, Li J, Wu QF, Sun CS, Fu YF, Chen JX, Zhou XN, Hu W. Screening for biomarkers reflecting the progression of Babesia microti infection. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:379. [PMID: 29970143 PMCID: PMC6029176 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2951-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Babesiosis is caused by the invasion of erythrocytes by parasites of the Babesia spp. Babesia microti is one of the primary causative agents of human babesiosis. To better understand the status of the disease, discovering key biomarkers of the different infection stages is crucial. Results This study investigated B. microti infection in the mouse model from 0 to 270 days post-infection (dpi), using blood smears, PCR assays and ELISA. PCR assays showed a higher sensitivity when compared to microscopic examination. Specific IgG antibodies could be detected from 7 days to 270 dpi. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was combined with western blotting and mass spectrometric analysis to screen for specific reactive antigens during both the peak parasitaemia period (7 dpi) and IgG antibody response peak period (30 dpi) by the infected mice plasma. The 87 positive reactive proteins were identified and then expressed with the wheat germ cell-free system. Protein microarrays of all 87 targeted proteins were produced and hybridized with the serial plasma of infected mice model. Based on the antigen reaction profile during the infection procedure, 6 antigens were selected and expressed in Escherichia coli. Due to an early response to IgM, lower immunoreactivity levels of IgG after two months and higher immunoreactivity level IgG during nine months, four recombinant proteins were selected for further characterization, namely rBm2D97(CCF75281.1), rBm2D33(CCF74637.1), rBm2D41(CCF75408.1) and rBm7(CCF73510.1). The diagnostic efficacy of the four recombinant protein candidates was evaluated in a clinical setting using babesiosis patient plasma. The rBm2D33 showed the highest sensitivity with a positive rate of 62.5%. Additional characterization of the two candidate proteins using a mouse vaccination assay, demonstrated that rBm2D41 could reduce peak parasitaemia by 37.4%, indicating its efficacy in preventing severe babesiosis. Conclusions The detection technologies of microscopic examination, PCR assays and antibody tests showed different sensitivities and accuracy during the different stages of B. microti infection. Antibody detection has a unique significance for B. microti infection in the asymptomatic stages. Using immunoreactivity profiles, biomarkers for disease progression were identified and represent useful information for future the diagnosis and vaccine development for this serious disease of public health significance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2951-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Feng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Chun Cai
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Lei Huang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Xiang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun-Jia Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Nian Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen-Bo Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun-Feng Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Song Sun
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Feng Fu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Wang G, Yu L, Efstratiou A, Moumouni PFA, Liu M, Guo H, Gao Y, Cao S, Zhou M, Li J, Ringo AE, Xuan X. Evaluation of the protective effect of a prime-boost strategy with plasmid DNA followed by recombinant adenovirus expressing BmAMA1 as vaccines against Babesia microti infection in hamster. Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:368-374. [PMID: 29654677 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we have investigated the protective effect of a heterologous prime-boost strategy with priming plasmid DNA followed by recombinant adenovirus, both expressing BmAMA1, against Babesia microti infection. Four groups consisting of 3 hamsters per group were immunized with pBmAMA1/Ad5BmAMA1, pNull/Ad5BmAMA1, pBmAMA1/Ad5Null and pNull/Ad5Null, followed by challenge infection with B. microti. Our results showed that hamsters immunized with plasmid and adenovirus expressing BmAMA1 developed a robust IgG and IgG2a antibody response against BmAMA1, suggesting the DNA vaccine or viral vector vaccine tend to induce a Th1-biased response. Compared to the control hamsters, the hamsters vaccinated either with the prime-boost strategy or one of the two "vaccines" exhibited no significant protection against B. microti challenge. Although a slight difference in terms of parasitemia and hematocrit values at days 14-16 post challenge infection was observed, no other statistical difference was detected. Our results indicate that the prime-boost vaccination strategy of injection of plasmid and adenovirus expressing BmAMA1 is not efficient in protecting against B. microti infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanbo Wang
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Longzheng Yu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Artemis Efstratiou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Huanping Guo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yang Gao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Shinuo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 678 Haping Street, Harbin 150069, People's Republic of China
| | - Mo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 678 Haping Street, Harbin 150069, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixu Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Aaron Edmond Ringo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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24
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Brennan MB, Herwaldt BL, Kazmierczak JJ, Weiss JW, Klein CL, Leith CP, He R, Oberley MJ, Tonnetti L, Wilkins PP, Gauthier GM. Transmission of Babesia microti Parasites by Solid Organ Transplantation. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 22. [PMID: 27767010 PMCID: PMC5088010 DOI: 10.3201/eid2211.151028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with this parasite should be included in differential diagnosis of fever and anemia after blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic parasite, is tickborne in nature. In contrast to transmission by blood transfusion, which has been well documented, transmission associated with solid organ transplantation has not been reported. We describe parasitologically confirmed cases of babesiosis diagnosed ≈8 weeks posttransplantation in 2 recipients of renal allografts from an organ donor who was multiply transfused on the day he died from traumatic injuries. The organ donor and recipients had no identified risk factors for tickborne infection. Antibodies against B. microti parasites were not detected by serologic testing of archived pretransplant specimens. However, 1 of the organ donor’s blood donors was seropositive when tested postdonation and had risk factors for tick exposure. The organ donor probably served as a conduit of Babesia parasites from the seropositive blood donor to both kidney recipients. Babesiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained fever and hemolytic anemia after blood transfusion or organ transplantation.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the current status of blood screening to prevent transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). RECENT FINDINGS Babesia microti has recently been determined to be the most common transfusion-transmitted pathogen in the United States. Patients who acquire TTB often experience severe illness with an associated mortality rate of about 20%. Recent studies have demonstrated that laboratory screening using B. microti antibody and/or PCR assays can effectively identify infectious blood donors and that this approach may offer a cost- effective means of intervention. Pathogen inactivation methods may offer an alternative solution. None of these methods has yet been licensed by US Food and Drug Administration, however, and current efforts to prevent TTB rely on excluding blood donors who report having had babesiosis. SUMMARY TTB imposes a significant health burden on the United States population. Further research is needed to better inform decisions on optimal screening strategies and reentry criteria, but given the acute need and the currently available screening tools, initiation of blood donor screening to prevent TTB should be given high priority.
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26
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Skariah S, Arnaboldi P, Dattwyler RJ, Sultan AA, Gaylets C, Walwyn O, Mulhall H, Wu X, Dargham SR, Mordue DG. Elimination of Babesia microti Is Dependent on Intraerythrocytic Killing and CD4 + T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:633-642. [PMID: 28607116 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonosis caused by protozoans of the genus Babesia, apicomplexan parasites that replicate within erythrocytes. However, unlike related Plasmodium species, the pathogenesis of Babesia infection remains poorly understood. The primary etiological agent of babesiosis in the United States is B. microti. In healthy individuals, tick-transmitted infection with Babesia causes no specific clinical manifestations, with many having no symptoms at all. However, even in asymptomatic people, a Babesia carriage state can be established that can last up to a year or more. Current blood bank screening methods do not identify infected donors, and Babesia parasites survive blood-banking procedures and storage. Thus, Babesia can also be transmitted by infected blood, and it is currently the number one cause of reportable transfusion-transmitted infection in the United States. Despite a significant impact on human health, B. microti remains understudied. In this study, we evaluated the course of Babesia infection in three strains of mice, C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, and C3H-HeJ, and examined the contribution of multiple immune parameters, including TLRs, B cells, CD4+ cells, IFN-γ, and NO, on the level of parasitemia and parasite clearance during acute babesiosis. We found that B. microti reaches high parasitemia levels during the first week of infection in all three mice strains before resolving spontaneously. Our results indicate that resolution of babesiosis requires CD4 T cells and a novel mechanism of parasite killing within infected erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sini Skariah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Paul Arnaboldi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595.,Biopeptides Corp., East Setauket, NY 11733; and
| | - Raymond J Dattwyler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595.,Biopeptides Corp., East Setauket, NY 11733; and
| | - Ali A Sultan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Corey Gaylets
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Odaelys Walwyn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Hannah Mulhall
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Soha R Dargham
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dana G Mordue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595;
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27
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Expression of truncated Babesia microti apical membrane protein 1 and rhoptry neck protein 2 and evaluation of their protective efficacy. Exp Parasitol 2016; 172:5-11. [PMID: 27876473 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of recombinant Babesia microti apical membrane protein 1 (rBmAMA1) and rhoptry neck protein 2 (rBmRON2) against B. microti infection using a hamster model. The genes encoding the predicted domains I and II of BmAMA1 and the gene encoding the predicted transmembrane regions 2 and 3 of BmRON2 were expressed as His fusion recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Three groups with 5 hamsters in each group were immunized with rBmAMA1, rBmRON2 and rBmAMA1+rBmRON2, then challenged with B. microti. The result showed that only the group immunized with rBmAMA1+rBmRON2 exhibited limited protection against B. microti challenge infection, characterized by significant decreased of parasitemia and higher hematocrit values from day 6-10 post challenge infection. However, there was no significant difference in the groups immunized with rBmAMA1 or rBmRON2 alone. The absence of a significant difference in the total amount of antibodies against rBmAMA1 and rBmRON2 between the group immunized with single and combined proteins. This result suggests that the protection cannot be solely attributed to the quantity of antibodies produced, but also to their ability to target important epitopes from both antigens. These results suggest that combined immunization with rBmAMA1 and rBmRON2 is a promising strategy against B. microti.
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28
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Transfusion-Transmitted Diseases. Transfus Med 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119236504.ch15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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29
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Wang G, Efstratiou A, Adjou Moumouni PF, Liu M, Jirapattharasate C, Guo H, Gao Y, Cao S, Zhou M, Suzuki H, Igarashi I, Xuan X. Primary Babesia rodhaini infection followed by recovery confers protective immunity against B. rodhaini reinfection and Babesia microti challenge infection in mice. Exp Parasitol 2016; 169:6-12. [PMID: 27423972 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the protective immunity against challenge infections with Babesia rodhaini and Babesia microti in the mice recovered from B. rodhaini infection. Six groups with 5 test mice in each group were used in this study, and were intraperitoneally immunized with alive and dead B. rodhaini. The challenge infections with B. rodhaini or B. microti were performed using different time courses. Our results showed that the mice recovered from primary B. rodhaini infection exhibited low parasitemia and no mortalities after the challenge infections, whereas mock mice which had received no primary infection showed a rapid increase of parasitemia and died within 7 days after the challenge with B. rodhaini. Mice immunized with dead B. rodhaini were not protected against either B. rodhaini or B. microti challenge infections, although high titers of antibody response were induced. These results indicate that only mice immunized with alive B. rodhaini could acquire protective immunity against B. rodhaini or B. microti challenge infection. Moreover, the test mice produced high levels of antibody response and low levels of cytokines (INF-γ, IL-4, IL-12, IL-10) against B. rodhaini or B. microti after challenge infection. Mock mice, however, showed rapid increases of these cytokines, which means disordered cytokines secretion occurred during the acute stage of challenge infection. The above results proved that mice immunized with alive B. rodhaini could acquire protective immunity against B. rodhaini and B. microti infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanbo Wang
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Artemis Efstratiou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Charoonluk Jirapattharasate
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Huanping Guo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yang Gao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Shinuo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Mo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 427 Maduan Street, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Hiroshi Suzuki
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ikuo Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
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30
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Gumber S, Nascimento FS, Rogers KA, Bishop HS, Rivera HN, Xayavong MV, Devare SG, Schochetman G, Amancha PK, Qvarnstrom Y, Wilkins PP, Villinger F. Experimental transfusion-induced Babesia microti infection: dynamics of parasitemia and immune responses in a rhesus macaque model. Transfusion 2016; 56:1508-19. [PMID: 26892459 DOI: 10.1111/trf.13521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne infection in humans. The increasing numbers of reported cases of transfusion-associated babesiosis (TAB), primarily caused by Babesia microti, represents a concern for the safety of the US blood supply. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This study investigated kinetics of parasitemia and innate immune responses and dynamics of antibody responses during B. microti infection in rhesus macaques (RMs) using blood smears, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), flow cytometry, and indirect fluorescent antibody testing. A total of six monkeys were transfused with either hamster or monkey-passaged B. microti-infected red blood cells (two and four monkeys, respectively) simulating TAB. RESULTS The prepatent period in monkeys inoculated with hamster-passaged B. microti was 35 days compared with 4 days in monkeys transfused with monkey-passaged B. microti; the latter monkeys also had markedly higher parasitemia levels. The duration of the window period from the first detected parasitemia by qPCR analysis to the first detected antibody response ranged from 10 to 17 days. Antibody responses fluctuated during the course of the infection. Innate responses assessed by the frequencies of monocytes and activated B cells correlated with the kinetics and magnitude of parasitemia. On Day 14, additional activation peaks were noted for CD14+CD16+ and CD14-CD16+ monocytes and for CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells, but only in animals transfused with monkey-passaged B. microti. Parasitemia persisted in these immunocompetent animals, similar to human infection. CONCLUSION The results suggest that transfusion-associated transmission of B. microti leads to rapid onset of parasitemia (Day 4) in RMs, detectable antibody response 14 days later, and persistent parasitemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
| | - Fernanda S Nascimento
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kenneth A Rogers
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Henry S Bishop
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hilda N Rivera
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Maniphet V Xayavong
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sushil G Devare
- Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois
| | | | - Praveen K Amancha
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
| | - Yvonne Qvarnstrom
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Patricia P Wilkins
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - François Villinger
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
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31
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Human Coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti in the United States. J Parasitol Res 2015; 2015:587131. [PMID: 26697208 PMCID: PMC4677215 DOI: 10.1155/2015/587131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, and Babesia microti, a causative agent of babesiosis, are increasingly implicated in the growing tick-borne disease burden in the northeastern United States. These pathogens are transmitted via the bite of an infected tick vector, Ixodes scapularis, which is capable of harboring and inoculating a host with multiple pathogens simultaneously. Clinical presentation of the diseases is heterogeneous and ranges from mild flu-like symptoms to near-fatal cardiac arrhythmias. While the reason for the variability is not known, the possibility exists that concomitant infection with both B. burgdorferi and B. microti may synergistically increase disease severity. In an effort to clarify the current state of understanding regarding coinfection with B. burgdorferi and B. microti, in this review, we discuss the geographical distribution and pathogenesis of Lyme disease and babesiosis in the United States, the immunological response of humans to B. burgdorferi or B. microti infection, the existing knowledge regarding coinfection disease pathology, and critical factors that have led to ambiguity in the literature regarding coinfection, in order to eliminate confusion in future experimental design and investigation.
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Babesiosis Occurrence among the Elderly in the United States, as Recorded in Large Medicare Databases during 2006-2013. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140332. [PMID: 26469785 PMCID: PMC4607449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human babesiosis, caused by intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites, can be an asymptomatic or mild-to-severe disease that may be fatal. The study objective was to assess babesiosis occurrence among the U.S. elderly Medicare beneficiaries, ages 65 and older, during 2006–2013. Methods Our retrospective claims-based study utilized large Medicare administrative databases. Babesiosis occurrence was ascertained by recorded ICD-9-CM diagnosis code. The study assessed babesiosis occurrence rates (per 100,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries) overall and by year, age, gender, race, state of residence, and diagnosis months. Results A total of 10,305 elderly Medicare beneficiaries had a recorded babesiosis diagnosis during the eight-year study period, for an overall rate of about 5 per 100,000 persons. Study results showed a significant increase in babesiosis occurrence over time (p<0.05), with the largest number of cases recorded in 2013 (N = 1,848) and the highest rates (per 100,000) in five Northeastern states: Connecticut (46), Massachusetts (45), Rhode Island (42), New York (27), and New Jersey (14). About 75% of all cases were diagnosed from May through October. Babesiosis occurrence was significantly higher among males vs. females and whites vs. non-whites. Conclusion Our study reveals increasing babesiosis occurrence among the U.S. elderly during 2006–2013, with highest rates in the babesiosis-endemic states. The study also shows variation in babesiosis occurrence by age, gender, race, state of residence, and diagnosis months. Overall, our study highlights the importance of large administrative databases in assessing the occurrence of emerging infections in the United States.
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Eshoo MW, Crowder CD, Carolan HE, Rounds MA, Ecker DJ, Haag H, Mothes B, Nolte O. Broad-range survey of tick-borne pathogens in Southern Germany reveals a high prevalence of Babesia microti and a diversity of other tick-borne pathogens. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2015; 14:584-91. [PMID: 25072989 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2013.1498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Ticks harbor numerous pathogens of significance to human and animal health. A better understanding of the pathogens carried by ticks in a given geographic area can alert health care providers of specific health risks leading to better diagnosis and treatments. In this study, we tested 226 Ixodes ricinis ticks from Southern Germany using a broad-range PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry assay (PCR/ESI-MS) designed to identify tick-borne bacterial and protozoan pathogens in a single test. We found 21.2% of the ticks tested carried Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato consisting of diverse genospecies; a surprisingly high percentage of ticks were infected with Babesia microti (3.5%). Other organisms found included Borrelia miyamotoi, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Of further significance was our finding that more than 7% of ticks were infected with more than one pathogen or putative pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W Eshoo
- 1 Ibis Biosciences an Abbott company , Carlsbad, California
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34
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Ord RL, Lobo CA. Human Babesiosis: Pathogens, Prevalence, Diagnosis and Treatment. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2015; 2:173-181. [PMID: 26594611 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-015-0025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human babesiosis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Babesia genus, primarily in the Northeastern and Midwest United States due to B. microti, and Western Europe due to B. divergens. Parasites are transmitted by the bite of the ixodid tick when the vector takes a blood meal from the vertebrate host, and the economic importance of bovine babesiosis is well understood. The pathology of human disease is a direct result of the parasite's ability to invade host's red blood cells. The current understanding of human babesiosis epidemiology is that many infections remain asymptomatic, especially in younger or immune competent individuals, and the burden of severe pathology resides within older or immunocompromised individuals. However, transfusion-transmitted babesiosis is an emerging threat to public health as asymptomatic carriers donate blood and there are as yet no licensed or regulated tests to screen blood products for this pathogen. Reports of tick-borne cases within new geographical regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the US, through Eastern Europe, and into China are also on the rise. Further, new Babesia spp. have been identified globally as agents of severe human babesiosis, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is rapidly changing, and it is clear that human babesiosis is a serious public health concern that requires close monitoring and effective intervention measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalynn Louise Ord
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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Expression, Purification, and Biological Characterization of Babesia microti Apical Membrane Antigen 1. Infect Immun 2015. [PMID: 26195550 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00168-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The intraerythrocytic apicomplexan Babesia microti, the primary causative agent of human babesiosis, is a major public health concern in the United States and elsewhere. Apicomplexans utilize a multiprotein complex that includes a type I membrane protein called apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) to invade host cells. We have isolated the full-length B. microti AMA1 (BmAMA1) gene and determined its nucleotide sequence, as well as the amino acid sequence of the AMA1 protein. This protein contains an N-terminal signal sequence, an extracellular region, a transmembrane region, and a short conserved cytoplasmic tail. It shows the same domain organization as the AMA1 orthologs from piroplasm, coccidian, and haemosporidian apicomplexans but differs from all other currently known piroplasmida, including other Babesia and Theileria species, in lacking two conserved cysteines in highly variable domain III of the extracellular region. Minimal polymorphism was detected in BmAMA1 gene sequences of parasite isolates from six babesiosis patients from Nantucket. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies showed that BmAMA1 is localized on the cell surface and cytoplasm near the apical end of the parasite. Native BmAMA1 from parasite lysate and refolded recombinant BmAMA1 (rBmAMA1) expressed in Escherichia coli reacted with a mouse anti-BmAMA1 antibody using Western blotting. In vitro binding studies showed that both native BmAMA1 and rBmAMA1 bind to human red blood cells (RBCs). This binding is trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment sensitive but neuraminidase independent. Incubation of B. microti parasites in human RBCs with a mouse anti-BmAMA1 antibody inhibited parasite growth by 80% in a 24-h assay. Based on its antigenically conserved nature and potential role in RBC invasion, BmAMA1 should be evaluated as a vaccine candidate.
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Wang G, Wormser GP, Zhuge J, Villafuerte P, Ip D, Zeren C, Fallon JT. Utilization of a real-time PCR assay for diagnosis of Babesia microti infection in clinical practice. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015; 6:376-82. [PMID: 25819568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease mainly caused Babesia microti, a protozoan that infects erythrocytes. Microscopic examination of blood smears is the current gold standard for detection of Babesia infection, but this diagnostic test has several limitations. We developed and assessed the clinical utilization of a multiplex real-time PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene of B. microti and the human gapdh gene. The limit of detection of this PCR assay was approximately 1-3parasites/μl of blood. The assay showed a diagnostic sensitivity and probable specificity of 100% based on testing 145 retrospective and 185 prospective blood specimens from controls and patients with confirmed babesiosis. Notably, the PCR assay was more sensitive than blood smear examination in patients during and following anti-babesia drug therapy. Our study suggests that PCR testing is as good or better than a blood smear for detection of B. microti in routine clinical practice. PCR testing may confirm the presence of babesiosis in patients whose level of infection is too low for reliable microscopic detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqing Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States; Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States.
| | - Gary P Wormser
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Jian Zhuge
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Patrick Villafuerte
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Dawn Ip
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Christine Zeren
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - John T Fallon
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States; Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States; Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States
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Wilson M, Glaser KC, Adams-Fish D, Boley M, Mayda M, Molestina RE. Development of droplet digital PCR for the detection of Babesia microti and Babesia duncani. Exp Parasitol 2014; 149:24-31. [PMID: 25500215 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Babesia spp. are obligate protozoan parasites of red blood cells. Transmission to humans occurs through bites from infected ticks or blood transfusion. Infections with B. microti account for the majority of the reported cases of human babesiosis in the USA. A lower incidence is caused by the more recently described species B. duncani. The current gold standard for detection of Babesia is microscopic examination of blood smears. Recent PCR-based assays, including real-time PCR, have been developed for B. microti. On the other hand, molecular assays that detect and distinguish between B. microti and B. duncani infections are lacking. Closely related species of Babesia can be differentiated due to sequence variation within the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNAs. In the present study, we targeted the ITS regions of B. microti and B. duncani to develop sensitive and species-specific droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays. The assays were shown to discriminate B. microti from B. duncani and resulted in limits of detection of ~10 gene copies. Moreover, ddPCR for these species were useful in DNA extracted from blood of experimentally infected hamsters, detecting infections of low parasitemia that were negative by microscopic examination. In summary, we have developed sensitive and specific quantitative ddPCR assays for the detection of B. microti and B. duncani in blood. Our methods could be used as sensitive approaches to monitor the progression of parasitemia in rodent models of infection as well as serve as suitable molecular tests in blood screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Wilson
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Kathleen C Glaser
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Debra Adams-Fish
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Matthew Boley
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Maria Mayda
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Robert E Molestina
- BEI Resources, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA 20110, USA.
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Macrophages are the determinant of resistance to and outcome of nonlethal Babesia microti infection in mice. Infect Immun 2014; 83:8-16. [PMID: 25312951 DOI: 10.1128/iai.02128-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we examined the contributions of macrophages to the outcome of infection with Babesia microti, the etiological agent of human and rodent babesiosis, in BALB/c mice. Mice were treated with clodronate liposome at different times during the course of B. microti infection in order to deplete the macrophages. Notably, a depletion of host macrophages at the early and acute phases of infection caused a significant elevation of parasitemia associated with remarkable mortality in the mice. The depletion of macrophages at the resolving and latent phases of infection resulted in an immediate and temporal exacerbation of parasitemia coupled with mortality in mice. Reconstituting clodronate liposome-treated mice at the acute phase of infection with macrophages from naive mice resulted in a slight reduction in parasitemia with improved survival compared to that of mice that received the drug alone. These results indicate that macrophages play a crucial role in the control of and resistance to B. microti infection in mice. Moreover, analyses of host immune responses revealed that macrophage-depleted mice diminished their production of Th1 cell cytokines, including gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Furthermore, depletion of macrophages at different times exaggerated the pathogenesis of the infection in deficient IFN-γ(-/-) and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Collectively, our data provide important clues about the role of macrophages in the resistance and control of B. microti and imply that the severity of the infection in immunocompromised patients might be due to impairment of macrophage function.
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Moritz ED, Winton CS, Johnson ST, Krysztof DE, Townsend RL, Foster GA, Devine P, Molloy P, Brissette E, Berardi VP, Stramer SL. Investigational screening forBabesia microtiin a large repository of blood donor samples from nonendemic and endemic areas of the United States. Transfusion 2014; 54:2226-36. [DOI: 10.1111/trf.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin D. Moritz
- Scientific Support Office; American Red Cross; Gaithersburg Maryland
| | - Colleen S. Winton
- Scientific Support Office; American Red Cross; Gaithersburg Maryland
| | | | - David E. Krysztof
- Scientific Support Office; American Red Cross; Gaithersburg Maryland
| | | | - Gregory A. Foster
- Scientific Support Office; American Red Cross; Gaithersburg Maryland
| | | | - Philip Molloy
- Research Division; IMUGEN, Inc.; Norwood Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Susan L. Stramer
- Scientific Support Office; American Red Cross; Gaithersburg Maryland
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Leiby DA, Johnson ST, Won KY, Nace EK, Slemenda SB, Pieniazek NJ, Cable RG, Herwaldt BL. A longitudinal study of Babesia microti infection in seropositive blood donors. Transfusion 2014; 54:2217-25. [PMID: 24673297 DOI: 10.1111/trf.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia infection is caused by intraerythrocytic tick-borne parasites. Cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis have been increasingly recognized. To date, no Babesia test has been licensed for screening US blood donors. We conducted a longitudinal study to assess the course and markers of Babesia infection among seropositive donors identified in a seroprevalence study. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Eligible donors had B. microti indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titers of 64 or greater. Enrollees were monitored up to 3 years, by IFA and three methods for evidence of parasitemia: B. microti nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis (at two laboratories), hamster inoculation, and blood-smear examination. RESULTS Among 115 eligible donors, 84 (73%) enrolled. Eighteen enrollees (21%) had evidence of parasitemia for 30 total specimens (17% of 181), which were collected in 9 different months and tested positive by various approaches: PCR (25 specimens/16 persons), hamster inoculation (13 specimens/8 persons), and blood smear (one specimen positive by all three approaches). Overall, 14 persons had one or more specimen with positive PCR results at both laboratories (12 persons) and/or had parasitologically confirmed infection (eight persons). Three of nine persons who had more than one specimen with evidence of parasitemia had nonconsecutive positives. Several enrollees likely had been infected at least 1 year when their last positive specimen was collected. The final three specimens for seven persons tested negative by all study methods, including IFA. CONCLUSION Seropositive blood donors can have protracted low-level parasitemia that is variably and intermittently detected by parasitologic and molecular methods. Donor-screening algorithms should include serologic testing and not solely rely on molecular testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Leiby
- Transmissible Diseases Department, American Red Cross Holland Laboratory, Rockville, Maryland
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Simon MS, Leff JA, Pandya A, Cushing M, Shaz BH, Calfee DP, Schackman BR, Mushlin AI. Cost-effectiveness of blood donor screening for Babesia microti in endemic regions of the United States. Transfusion 2014; 54:889-99. [PMID: 24252132 PMCID: PMC4039174 DOI: 10.1111/trf.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Babesia microti is the leading reported cause of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion-transmitted infection in the United States. Donor screening assays are in development. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A decision analytic model estimated the cost-effectiveness of screening strategies for preventing transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB) in a hypothetical cohort of transfusion recipients in Babesia-endemic areas of the United States. Strategies included: 1) no screening; 2) Uniform Donor Health History Questionnaire (UDHQ), "status quo"; 3) recipient risk targeting using donor antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening; 4) universal endemic donor antibody screening; and 5) universal endemic donor antibody and PCR screening. Outcome measures were TTB cases averted, costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs; $/QALY). We assumed a societal willingness to pay of $1 million/QALY based on screening for other transfusion-transmitted infections. RESULTS Compared to no screening, the UDHQ avoids 0.02 TTB cases per 100,000 RBC transfusions at an ICER of $160,000/QALY whereas recipient risk-targeted strategy using antibody/PCR avoids 1.62 TTB cases per 100,000 RBC transfusions at an ICER of $713,000/QALY compared to the UDHQ. Universal endemic antibody screening avoids 3.39 cases at an ICER of $760,000/QALY compared to the recipient risk-targeted strategy. Universal endemic antibody/PCR screening avoids 3.60 cases and has an ICER of $8.8 million/QALY compared to universal endemic antibody screening. Results are sensitive to blood donor Babesia prevalence, TTB transmission probability, screening test costs, risk and severity of TTB complications, and impact of babesiosis diagnosis on donor quality of life. CONCLUSION Antibody screening for Babesia in endemic regions is appropriate from an economic perspective based on the societal willingness to pay for preventing infectious threats to blood safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Simon
- Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Human babesiosis in Europe: what clinicians need to know. Infection 2013; 41:1057-72. [PMID: 24104943 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-013-0526-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although best known as an animal disease, human babesiosis is attracting increasing attention as a worldwide emerging zoonosis. Humans are commonly infected by the bite of ixodid ticks. Rare ways of transmission are transplacental, perinatal and transfusion-associated. Infection of the human host can cause a very severe host-mediated pathology including fever, and hemolysis leading to anemia, hyperbilirubinuria, hemoglobinuria and possible organ failure. In recent years, apparently owing to increased medical awareness and better diagnostic methods, the number of reported cases in humans is rising steadily worldwide. Hitherto unknown zoonotic Babesia spp. are now being reported from geographic areas where babesiosis was not previously known to occur and the growing numbers of travelers and immunocompromised individuals suggest that the frequency of cases in Europe will also continue to rise. Our review is intended to provide clinicians with practical information on the clinical management of this rare, but potentially life-threatening zoonotic disease. It covers epidemiology, phylogeny, diagnostics and treatment of human babesiosis and the potential risk of transfusion-transmitted disease with a special focus on the European situation.
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Vichinsky E, Neumayr L, Trimble S, Giardina PJ, Cohen AR, Coates T, Boudreaux J, Neufeld EJ, Kenney K, Grant A, Thompson AA. Transfusion complications in thalassemia patients: a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CME). Transfusion 2013; 54:972-81; quiz 971. [PMID: 23889533 DOI: 10.1111/trf.12348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusions are the primary therapy for thalassemia but have significant cumulative risks. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a national blood safety monitoring program for thalassemia. This report summarizes the population and their previous nonimmune and immune transfusion complications. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The CDC Thalassemia Blood Safety Network is a consortium of centers longitudinally following patients. Enrollment occurred from 2004 through 2012. Demographics, transfusion history, infectious exposures, and transfusion and nontransfusion complications were summarized. Logistic regression analyses of factors associated with allo- and autoimmunization were employed. RESULTS The race/ethnicity of these 407 thalassemia patients was predominantly Asian or Caucasian. The mean ± SD age was 22.3 ± 13.2 years and patients had received a mean ± SD total number of 149 ± 103.4 units of red blood cells (RBCs). Multiorgan dysfunction was common despite chelation. Twenty-four percent of transfused patients had previous exposure to possible transfusion-associated pathogens including one case of babesia. As 27% were immigrants, the infection source cannot be unequivocally linked to transfusion. Transfusion reactions occurred in 48%, including allergic, febrile, and hemolytic; 19% were alloimmunized. Common antigens were E, Kell, and C. Years of transfusion was the strongest predictor of alloimmunization. Autoantibodies occurred in 6.5% and were associated with alloimmunization (p < 0.0001). Local institutional policies, not patient characteristics, were major determinants of blood preparation and transfusion practices. CONCLUSION Hemosiderosis, transfusion reactions, and infections continue to be major problems in thalassemia. New pathogens were noted. National guidelines for RBC phenotyping and preparation are needed to decrease transfusion-related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott Vichinsky
- Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Atlanta, Georgia; Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Lobo CA, Cursino-Santos JR, Alhassan A, Rodrigues M. Babesia: an emerging infectious threat in transfusion medicine. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003387. [PMID: 23853577 PMCID: PMC3708872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Lobo
- Department of Blood-Borne Parasites, Lindsley Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, New York, United States of America.
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Cao S, Luo Y, Aboge GO, Terkawi MA, Masatani T, Suzuki H, Igarashi I, Nishikawa Y, Xuan X. Identification and characterization of an interspersed repeat antigen of Babesia microti (BmIRA). Exp Parasitol 2013; 133:346-52. [PMID: 23291346 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2012.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 12/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In this report, a novel gene encoding an interspersed repeat antigen from Babesia microti (BmIRA) was identified and described. The full-length cDNA containing an open reading frame of 1,947 bp was obtained by immunoscreening a B. microti cDNA expression library. The full-length of BmIRA gene was expressed as a GST fusion recombinant BmIRA (rBmIRA) in Escherichia coli. Sera of mice immunized with the rBmIRA detected a native parasite protein with a molecular mass of 76 kDa on Western blot analysis. The same protein was detected in the parasites by immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using rBmIRA detected specific antibodies as early as 11 days post-infection in sera from a hamster experimentally infected with B. microti Gray stain (US type). Furthermore, a rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) using rBmIRA detected specific antibodies in a hamster experimentally infected with B. microti from day 11 to at least day 180 post-infection. The results indicate the antibody response against the rBmIRA was maintained during the chronic stage of infection. On the other hand, an immunoprotective property of rBmIRA as a subunit vaccine was evaluated in hamsters against B. microti challenge, but no significant protection was observed. Our data suggest that the immunodominant antigen BmIRA could be a useful serodiagnostic antigen for screening of B. microti infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinuo Cao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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Jeong YI, Hong SH, Cho SH, Lee WJ, Lee SE. Induction of IL-10-producing CD1dhighCD5+ regulatory B cells following Babesia microti-infection. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46553. [PMID: 23071588 PMCID: PMC3465325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the induction of immune regulatory cells upon helminth infection is important for understanding the control of autoimmunity and allergic inflammation in helminth infection. Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic protozoan of the genus Babesia, is a major cause of the emerging human disease babesiosis, an asymptomatic malaria-like disease. We examined the influence of acute B. microti infection on the development of regulatory B cells together with regulatory T cells. Principal Findings Our data demonstrate that B cells stimulated in vitro with B. microti produce interleukin (IL)-10. This cytokine is also secreted by B cells isolated from B. microti-infected mice in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. In addition, high levels of IL-10 were detected in the serum of mice after infection with B. microti. The frequency of IL-10-producing CD1dhighCD5+ regulatory B cells (Bregs) and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells increased during the course of B. microti infection. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of IL-10-producing B cells induced by B. microti infection led to increased susceptibility of recipient mice to infection with B. microti. In contrast, experiments with B cell-deficient (µMT) mice demonstrated that lack of B cells enhances susceptibility to B. microti infection. Conclusions This study is the first demonstration of the expansion of Bregs following infection by an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite. These data suggest that B. microti infection in mice provides an excellent model for studying Breg-mediated immune responses and begins to elucidate the mechanism by which helminth infection regulates autoimmunity and allergic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sang-Eun Lee
- Division of Malaria & Parasitic Disease, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk, Korea
- * E-mail:
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Cushing M, Shaz B. Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis: achieving successful mitigation while balancing cost and donor loss. Transfusion 2012; 52:1404-7. [PMID: 22780893 DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03746.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Multiplex assay detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies that recognize Babesia microti antigens. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2012; 19:1539-48. [PMID: 22855390 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00313-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Human babesiosis, a blood-borne infection caused by several species of Babesia, including B. microti, is an emerging disease that is endemic in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. Risk factors for babesiosis include exposure to the infected tick vector and blood transfusions from infected donors. In this work, we cloned and expressed two of the immunodominant antigens from B. microti and used them in a multiplex bead format assay (MBA) to detect parasite-specific IgG responses in human sera. The MBA using recombinant B. microti secreted antigen 1 (BmSA1) protein was more specific (100%) and slightly more sensitive (98.7%) than the assay using a truncated recombinant BMN1-17 construct (97.6% and 97.4%, respectively). Although some antibody reactivity was observed among sera from confirmed-malaria patients, only one Plasmodium falciparum sample was simultaneously positive for IgG antibodies to both antigens. Neither antigen reacted with sera from babesiosis patients who were infected with Babesia species other than B. microti. Both positive and negative MBA results were reproducible between assays and between instruments. Additional studies of these recombinant antigens and of the multiplex bead assay using blood samples from clinically defined babesiosis patients and from blood donors are needed to more clearly define their usefulness as a blood screening assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Vannier
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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Tanhehco YC, Berns JS. Red blood cell transfusion risks in patients with end-stage renal disease. Semin Dial 2012; 25:539-44. [PMID: 22686519 DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-139x.2012.01089.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Prior to the introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), red blood cell (RBC) transfusions were frequently required when iron and anabolic steroids failed to improve the clinical symptoms of anemia associated with hemoglobin (Hb) levels that were commonly less than 7 g/dl. After the approval of EPO in the United States in 1989, the Hb levels of patients on hemodialysis dramatically improved and the need for RBC transfusions decreased significantly. The need for RBC transfusion remains for patients who require an immediate increase in their RBC mass due to symptomatic anemia and is likely to increase due to changes in the management of anemia in dialysis patients resulting from clinical trials data, regulatory changes, and new reimbursement policies for EPO. The safety of the blood supply has greatly improved over the last few decades, and the risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases has now been dramatically reduced. Noninfectious complications of transfusion currently cause the majority of morbidity and mortality associated with transfusion in the United States. Transfusion also brings a risk of alloimmunization, a particular concern for dialysis patients waiting for kidney transplantation. Knowledge of the risks of RBC transfusions will help clinicians better assess the risks and benefits of transfusing patients with ESRD. This article reviews the modern day infectious and noninfectious risks of allogeneic RBC transfusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette C Tanhehco
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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