Babesia microti Presented By: Hannah Wilder & Nicole Johnson

*Background* Babesia microti is a parasite of rodents (especially the white-footed mouse). Different species of Babesia cause babesiosis in humans, including Babesia microti & Babesia divergens, primarily. Babesia microti lives and reproduces within RBCs.

Parasite inside of Erythrocytes. Trophozoite looks like a diamond ring (top)

*Geographic Range* Worldwide, Especially in: – Europe (although, mostly Babesia divergens) – Asia – United States Particularly in the Northeast: Especially New England, New York & other coastal regions Has been spotted in other parts of the U.S., such as the mid-west

*Definitive Host* A tick is the definitive host. Transmission occurs from an animal to a human, normally using the northern deer tick or black- legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) as the vector. – Also may be spread through blood transfusions

Female Ixodes Scapularis tick

*Life Cycle* Involves two hosts, a human and a rodent

*Prevention* Skin checks for ticks after being in wooded areas Check animals for ticks Wear long clothing Find a good tick repellant

*Pathogenesis/Clinical Symptoms* Chills Headache Fatigue High Fever Loss of Appetite Muscle Aches Nausea Renal Failure *Worse in immuno- compromised individuals Similar to Malaria! Muscle Aches Nausea Renal Failure *Worse in immuno- compromised individuals Similar to Malaria!

*Diagnosis/Treatment* Blood smear and viewing Babesia microti in the RBCs Combination of Quinine and Clindamycin Blood transfusions to reduce the number of infected RBCs Patients who are healthy normally make a full recovery