Babesia divergens

Babesia divergens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Alveolata
Phylum: Apicomplexa
Class: Aconoidasida
Order: Piroplasmida
Family: Babesiidae
Genus: Babesia
Species:
B. divergens
Binomial name
Babesia divergens
M'Fadyean & Stockman, 1911

Babesia divergens is an intraerythrocytic parasite, transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus.[1] It is the most common cause of human babesiosis.[2] It is the main agent of bovine babesiosis, or "redwater fever", in Europe. Young cattle are less susceptible. The current emphasis in Europe on sustainable agriculture and extensification is likely to lead to an increase in vector tick populations with increased risk of infection.[1] B. divergens is also prevalent (infection rates of 11-23%) in cottontail rabbits on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, USA.[3]

Human infections are rare.[4] The most severe, life-threatening infections were described in asplenic patients.[4] Infections in immunocompetent patients were also observed, and described as a "serious influenza-like" syndrome that requires medical treatment.[5]

  1. ^ a b Zintl, A; Mulcahy, G; Skerrett, HE; Taylor, SM; Gray, JS (2003). "Babesia divergens, a Bovine Blood Parasite of Veterinary and Zoonotic Importance". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 16 (4): 622–36. doi:10.1128/CMR.16.4.622-636.2003. PMC 207107. PMID 14557289.
  2. ^ "Dictionnaire médical de l'Académie de Médecine". www.academie-medecine.fr. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  3. ^ Heidi K. Goethert & Sam R. 3rd Telford (2003). "Enzootic transmission of Babesia divergens among cottontail rabbits on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 69 (5): 455–460. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2003.69.455. PMID 14695079. S2CID 2418317.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Uguen, C; Girard, L; Brasseur, P; Leblay, R (1997). "La babésiose humaine en 1997" [Human Babesiosis in 1997]. La Revue de Médecine Interne (in French). 18 (12): 945–51. doi:10.1016/S0248-8663(97)80114-2. PMID 9499998.
  5. ^ Martinot, M; Zadeh, MM; Hansmann, Y; Grawey, I; Christmann, D; Aguillon, S; Jouglin, M; Chauvin, A; de Briel, D (2011). "Babesiosis in Immunocompetent Patients, Europe". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 17 (1): 114–6. doi:10.3201/eid1701.100737. PMC 3204631. PMID 21192869.