The Interaction between the Immune System and Babesia

Authors

  • Hussein Rabah Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, New York, USA.
  • Divya Chukkalore Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, New York, USA.
  • Racha Abi-Melhem Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, New York, USA.
  • Zakaria Alameddine Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, New York, USA.
  • Elie El-Charabaty Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, New York, USA.
  • Neville Mobarakai Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, New York, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/namms/v9/6049E

Keywords:

Autoimmunity, Babesiosis, tick-borne illness, protozoa

Abstract

This chapter discusses the Interaction Between the Immune System and Babesia. Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by the protozoa of the genus Babesia.  Babesiosis is not easy to diagnose, and a high index of suspicion is required, especially in endemic regions. Treatment is recommended for patients regardless of symptoms to prevent the progression and transmission of the disease. The diagnosis is confirmed by the identification of babesia organisms on Giemsa stained blood smears, detection of babesia DNA by PCR, or a four-fold rise in antibody titers.

The pathogenesis of babesiosis is related to the host immune system. It is proposed that the manifestations of the disease are related to the inflammatory response and ischemia related to vascular damage. In addition, it is proposed that autoimmunity might also play a role in this pathological process.

Published

2023-07-05

How to Cite

Hussein Rabah, Divya Chukkalore, Racha Abi-Melhem, Zakaria Alameddine, Elie El-Charabaty, & Neville Mobarakai. (2023). The Interaction between the Immune System and Babesia. New Advances in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9, 90–95. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/namms/v9/6049E

Issue

New Advances in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

Section

Chapters