Abstract
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.
Highlights
Babesiosis, caused by intraerythrocytic protozoans of the Genus Babesia, is a zoonotic tick-borne disease, and can be transmitted through blood transfusion [1,2]
Babesia genes were identified in three H. longicornis: one sample was identified as B. microti and two samples were 98% homologous to B. motasi
In Korea, the first case of human babesiosis (KO1) was reported in 2007 and KO1 was highly related to Chinese ovine Babesia sp. [17]
Summary
Babesiosis, caused by intraerythrocytic protozoans of the Genus Babesia, is a zoonotic tick-borne disease, and can be transmitted through blood transfusion [1,2]. More than 100 Babesia species cause infections in many wild and domestic animals, with varying degrees of virulence among different species of Babesia in humans and animals. B. microti, B. divergens, and B. venatorum are the three most predominant species known to infect humans, while other species, B. ovis, B. major, B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. ovata, B. orientalis, B. motasi, and B. caballi are causal agents for animal infections [6]. Four Genera, Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, and Hyalomma within the Ixodidae have been reported as vectors of Babesia spp. B. ovis, B. motasi, and B. crassa are primarily transmitted via Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and H. longicornis [10]
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