Bacteria spread most tick-borne illnesses. Certain ticks carry bacteria that can cause infections, like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). But bacteria aren’t the only type of microbes that ticks can carry.
Certain ticks can also carry microscopic parasites that can lead to infections. One of these parasites is babesia. When learning how to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases, it’s essential to understand what babesia is, what kind of infections these parasites cause, and where they are found.
What is Babesia?
Parasites are tiny organisms that live on or in hosts. The presence of parasites can lead to dangerous infections and ailments. For example, Babesia is a parasite that infects red blood cells, potentially leading to serious disease.
An infected tick typically transmits Babesia, but a gestational parent can also transfer it to a baby during pregnancy, delivery, or blood transfusion – although these are rare.
Types of Babesia
Over 100 different types of babesia have been discovered. Although many other species of this parasite have been found in animals, only a few have been identified in humans.
B. microti typically infects small mammals like the white-footed mouse. Still, they are also the main culprit of human Babesiosis infections in the U.S. A type of Babesia called WA-1 was discovered in 1998 as the cause of human diseases on the Pacific Coast in Washington and California. It has since been renamed to B. duncani.
Cases of babesiosis in Canada, typically occurring on the Pacific coast, have been linked to the B. duncani species. The B. divergens, B. venatorum, and B. microti species caused most European human infections.
Babesiosis can impact all sorts of wild and domestic animals, including horses, sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, and cats. Infections in cattle are typically caused by the B. bovis or B. bigemina species.
Like in humans, Babesiosis in animals can lead to life-threatening complications and is potentially fatal. That is why it’s controlled by vector control, chemotherapy, and vaccination in some countries. Unfortunately, although it can protect cattle, there is currently no vaccine to protect humans against babesiosis.
What Kind of Ticks Carry Babesia?
Babesia is most commonly spread in the U.S. by the black-legged or deer tick, also known as the Ixodes scapularis. The parasite is usually transmitted when ticks are in the nymph stage and are often found in grassy, wooded, and brush areas. Nymph deer ticks are tiny, meaning many people may not realize they’ve been bitten.
People in the U.S. should also be aware of the Eastern black-legged deer tick, and the Western black-legged tick, both of which can carry babesia. In Europe, babesia is spread by the sheep tick or castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus.
Where is Babesia Found?
Babesia has been found in all 50 states, although it is most commonly found in the upper Midwest and Northeast parts of the U.S., along with some places in Europe and Canada. Although less common, other cases have been reported in Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia.
Reports of Babesiosis are more common when ticks are active in the U.S. during warmer months in the spring, summer, and fall.
Symptoms of a Babesiosis Infection
The presence of a babesia parasite can lead to a Babesiosis infection. While many people with babesiosis have no symptoms, those that do can experience severe complications. Those who display symptoms may encounter them within a week of infection. However, it typically takes a few weeks to months.
Symptoms of babesiosis include:
- Dark urine
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Fatigue
- General unwellness or malaise
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sweat and chills
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Acute respiratory distress
- Depression
- Renal failure
- Hemolytic anemia
- Thrombocytopenia (Low blood platelet count)
Some of these symptoms are similar to that of malaria, which is caused by another parasite, which is why comprehensive testing to find the correct reason they’re occurring is important.
The same kind of ticks that carry babesia can also carry Lyme disease. This makes Babesiosis the most common co-infection, which is why it’s essential to know the symptoms of both and test for both if you’ve been bitten by a tick, or suspect you may have Lyme disease.
Babesiosis can affect people of any age but can be more severe in people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, or people with liver or kidney disease. Although it can be life-threatening, most cases of babesiosis can be treated with a combination of medications when caught early on.
Still, the most common risk factor of Babesiosis is exposure to ticks. If you know you may be exposed to ticks in your daily life, it’s vital to understand how to protect yourself from tick bites.
Should You Look For A Babesia Rash?
Unlike Lyme and some other tick-borne diseases, there is no ‘babesia rash’ to keep an eye out for. Rashes are an uncommon symptom of babesia. A patient may notice petrichiae, or small red or purple spots on the skin. These are actually caused by thrombocytopenia, low platelet count, causing abnormal blood clotting, and are not a ‘babesia rash’ caused by the tick bite itself.
Protecting Yourself from Babesia
Babesiosis, an infection caused by the babesia parasite, can lead to severe complications for you, your family, and even your pets. One of the top ways to prevent a babesiosis infection is by avoiding tick bites.
Much of tick safety comes down to prevention. If you live in or frequent an area where ticks are common, you’ll want to keep these safety measures in mind:
- Use a bug spray containing DEET or a natural alternative like eucalyptus and lemon oil.
- Cover arms and legs. You can tuck pants into long socks.
- Tie up long hair.
- Thoroughly check yourself, your children, and your pets before entering your home.
Most cases of Babesiosis can only be transmitted once a tick has been attached for 36-48 hours. Because of that, checking diligently can be one of the most important steps in prevention. If you find a tick, remove it properly, watch for symptoms, and, if possible – send in the tick for testing. IGeneX offers testing for babesia and a wide range of other tick-borne infections.
Along with testing, be sure to seek out medical care as soon as possible if you start to experience symptoms of Babesiosis. The thought of tick-borne infections like Babesiosis can be daunting, but you can actively prevent them by staying informed and remembering these tips.
