Galaxy Radar – Week of July 8, 2024

Sample Enrichment Breaks New Ground in Babesia Identification

Human Babesia odocoilei and Bartonella spp. Co-infections in the Americas by RG Maggi, AC Calchi, CO Moore, E Kingston & EB Breitschwerdt publishing from North Carolina State University and São Paulo State University – In this case series with Galaxy Diagnostics co-authors, seven people with chronic non-specific symptoms were tested for Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia spp using a combination of molecular diagnostic tools including enrichment and multiplex ddPCR.

These seven cases were positive for Babesia odocoilei, and six of the seven were positive for Bartonella spp. Vector-borne disease co-infection is increasingly being recognized as a cause of chronic disease, highlighting the importance of the development of multiplex PCR methods.

Without the use of enrichment, three of the patients would not have had their B. odocoilei infection confirmed. Failure to confirm B. odocoilei infection has been an increasing frustration, as well as lack of identification of B. duncani where vector positivity is present, perhaps because of cross-reactivity.

Find out more about ddPCR used at Galaxy Diagnostics.

Babesia Cases in the News

Belmont Woman Takes Action after Losing Mother to Rare Tick-Borne Disease on WABI (YouTube) – After misdiagnosis and worsening symptoms, a woman in Maine was hospitalized and diagnosed with babesiosis, a tick-borne disease. Her daughter states that delayed treatment led to the woman’s death.

Severe Tick-Borne Infection Leads to aHUS in Woman: Case Report by A Lobo in aHUS News – A woman who had recently traveled to the US Northeast developed aHUS, an immune-mediated clotting syndrome that damages kidneys. Due to quick identification and treatment of babesiosis, she recovered.

Novel Babesia Discoveries

Description of Babesia galileei sp. nov. A Prioplasmid Species Causing Severe Disease in Domestic Cats by G Baneth et al. publishing from Israel – At least six species of Babesia affect cats. A novel species with the proposed name Babesia galileei sp. nov., which causes severe disease in cats, has been found in three cats, two from the Galilee region.

Investigation of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in Ticks from Western China and Identification of a Novel Genotype of Babesia caballi by B Zhang et al. publishing from China – A study of ticks in Western China identified a strain of Babesia caballi that has changes that may increase drug resistance. This species of Babesia affects horses and related species.

Babesia on the Move through Archipelago

Island Hitchhikers: Pathogen Agents of Madeira and Azores Ticks by F Rosa et al. publishing from Portugal – Genetic analysis of ticks and their pathogens reveals how Babesia and Rickettsia species are moving through the Madeira and Azores islands.

Review Papers

Neuropsychiatric Manifestations and Cognitive Decline in Patients with Long-Standing Lyme Disease: A Scoping Review by M Brackett et al. publishing from Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine – This review of the available literature on long-term neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive decline associated with Lyme disease brings together the findings from 10 articles reporting these findings and the effects of delayed diagnosis

Tick-Borne Zoonotic Flaviviruses and Borrelia Infections in Wildlife Hosts: What Have Field Studies Contributed? by A Poisson et al. publishing from France – Flavivirus is a genus that includes dengue, Zika, tick-borne encephalitis and more. This review looks at ecological niches that contain both Borrelia and Flavivirus and identifies shortcomings in Flavivirus research.

Rare Vector-Borne Cases

Public Health Officials Investigating Human Plague Case in Pueblo County by Pueblo County Public Health Department – A human case of plague (Y. pestis) has been identified in Pueblo, Colorado. Plague is a flea-borne zoonotic disease. Flea prevention for both humans and their pets as well as keeping pets away from wildlife can lower the risk of flea-borne disease.

Confirman Nuevos Casos de Fiebre Hemorrágica Argentina en la Provincia de Buenos Aires in Infocielo – Officials in Argentina have reported new cases of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever. The virus is carried by rodents in three provinces, including the capital of Argentina, and cases are rare but mortality is high. A vaccine is available.

Ohio Vectorborne Disease Surveillance Update by the Ohio Department of Health – Ohio has released a 2024 Vectorborne Disease Surveillance Update. This update includes both disease from vectors (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, etc.) in the state as well as travelers who returned with diseases from vectors. These travel-related cases may include species rarely seen in the state.

Ehrlichiosis Update on Medscape

Ehrlichiosis by CN Animalu on Medscape – Medscape has updated its ehrlichiosis entry. It contains a chart comparing human monocytic ehrlichiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis.

Continuing Education

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever by Dr. D. Scott Smith on InVisible International – This continuing education webcast discusses diagnosis and treatment of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Continuing Education outstanding.

Galaxy Diagnostics Calendar

Chronic Disease Day on July 10, 2024 – The search for answers to explain chronic disease drives diagnostic testing forward. Today we recognize people with chronic diseases.

The Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative Symposium on July 27, 2024 – Edward B. Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), will be presenting with Janice Bush, CVM, on “Bartonella henselae, Neurobartonellosis and Alzheimer’s Disease: Is there a link?”

Project Lyme Gala on September 24, 2024 – Meet Galaxy Diagnostics CEO Nicole Bell and Cofounder Amanda Elam at the event.

ILADS Annual Scientific Conference, November 7-10, 2024 – Galaxy Diagnostics speakers will include CEO Nicole Bell, Chief Scientific Officer and Cofounder Edward B. Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM). Find us in the exhibitor hall.