First report of two asymptomatic cases of human infection with [i]Babesia[/i] microti (Franca, 1910) in Poland

Human infection by [i]Babesia microti[/i] has been recognized as an emerging zoonosis with important public health implications worldwide. In Europe the reported cases of human babesiosis have been attributed mostly to [i]B. divergens[/i] infection, with only sporadic cases of the disease caused by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine 2015-02, Vol.22 (877332), p.51-54
Main Authors: Renata Welc-Falęciak, Agnieszka Pawełczyk, Marek Radkowski, Sławomir A Pancewicz, Joanna Zajkowska, Edward Siński
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
eastern Poland
forest ecosystem
immunocompetent forester workers
asymptomatic infection
Babesia microti
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Summary:Human infection by [i]Babesia microti[/i] has been recognized as an emerging zoonosis with important public health implications worldwide. In Europe the reported cases of human babesiosis have been attributed mostly to [i]B. divergens[/i] infection, with only sporadic cases of the disease caused by [i]B. microti [/i]or [i]B. venatorum[/i]. This study, based on molecular methods (PCR, R-T PCR, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis), reveals for the first time in Poland, asymptomatic infection with . microti in immunocompetent healthy individuals working in forest ecosystems. Of the 58 professional foresters examined, two (3.4%) were identified as [i]B. microti[/i]-positive by specific PCR. The results of this study also provide strong evidence that in eastern Poland, where tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic, there is a potential risk of acquiring human babesiosis due to zoonotic [i]B. microti [/i]parasites commonly found in rodents and[i] I. ricinus[/i] ticks. The potential public health importance of this finding is discussed.
ISSN:1232-1966
1898-2263