A Paleau1, E Candolfi2, L Souply3, D De Briel4, J M Delarbre5, D Lipsker6, M Jouglin7, L Malandrin8, Y Hansmann9, M Martinot10. 1. Service de maladies infectieuses, boulevard Louis-Escande, 71018 Mâcon cedex, France. Electronic address: anpaleau@ch-macon.fr. 2. Laboratoire de parasitologie et de mycologie médicale, plateau technique de microbiologie, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg, France. Electronic address: ermanno.candolfi@chru-strasbourg.fr. 3. Laboratoire de microbiologie, hôpital Pasteur, hôpitaux civils de Colmar, 39, avenue Liberté, 68024 Colmar cedex, France. Electronic address: laurent.souply@ch-colmar.fr. 4. Laboratoire de microbiologie, hôpital Pasteur, hôpitaux civils de Colmar, 39, avenue Liberté, 68024 Colmar cedex, France. Electronic address: dominique.debriel@ch-colmar.fr. 5. Laboratoire de microbiologie, centre hospitalier de Mulhouse, site Emile-Muller, 20, avenue Docteur René-Laennec, 68100 Mulhouse, France. Electronic address: delarbrejm@ch-mulhouse.fr. 6. Service de dermatologie, consultation dermatologie, oncodermatologien, CHU de Strasbourg, hôpital civil, 1, place de l'Hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg cedex, France. Electronic address: dan.lipsker@chru-strasbourg.fr. 7. BIOEPAR, Inra, Oniris, 44307 Nantes, France. Electronic address: maggy.jouglin@oniris-nantes.fr. 8. BIOEPAR, Inra, Oniris, 44307 Nantes, France. Electronic address: laurence.malandrin@oniris-nantes.fr. 9. Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, 1, place de l'Hôpital, NHC BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg cedex, France. Electronic address: yves.hansmann@chru-strasbourg.fr. 10. Unité d'infectiologie, centre hospitalier de Colmar, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68024 Colmar, France. Electronic address: martin.martinot@ch-colmar.fr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Human babesiosis is a rare parasitic anthropozoonosis transmitted to humans by tick bites. Fifty-six cases of human babesiosis have been recorded in Europe. Two cases of babesiosis were reported in Alsace, France, in 2009. We performed a retrospective observational descriptive study to assess the epidemiology of the disease in Alsace. METHODS: Patients were included if they had a positive serology result for Babesia and/or a positive blood smear and/or a positive PCR result. The tests were performed in the microbiology laboratories of the university hospitals of Strasbourg, the civil hospitals of Colmar, and the hospital of Mulhouse between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015. Included patients were divided into three groups: definite case group (positive PCR or positive blood smear or seroconversion), possible case group (positive serology results without seroconversion with a compatible clinical picture and without other confirmed diagnoses), and incompatible case group (positive serology results without seroconversion, without compatible clinical picture and/or with other confirmed diagnoses). The compatible clinical picture was defined by the presence of flu-like symptoms and fever (≥38°C). RESULTS: Fifty-one patients had at least one positive result. Three cases were excluded (missing files). There were six definite cases, 12 possible cases, and 30 incompatible cases. All patients in the definite case group were immunocompetent. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Human babesiosis is probably underdiagnosed due to its non-specific symptoms, lack of awareness about the disease, and the difficulty in making a diagnosis.
OBJECTIVES:Humanbabesiosis is a rare parasitic anthropozoonosis transmitted to humans by tick bites. Fifty-six cases of humanbabesiosis have been recorded in Europe. Two cases of babesiosis were reported in Alsace, France, in 2009. We performed a retrospective observational descriptive study to assess the epidemiology of the disease in Alsace. METHODS:Patients were included if they had a positive serology result for Babesia and/or a positive blood smear and/or a positive PCR result. The tests were performed in the microbiology laboratories of the university hospitals of Strasbourg, the civil hospitals of Colmar, and the hospital of Mulhouse between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015. Included patients were divided into three groups: definite case group (positive PCR or positive blood smear or seroconversion), possible case group (positive serology results without seroconversion with a compatible clinical picture and without other confirmed diagnoses), and incompatible case group (positive serology results without seroconversion, without compatible clinical picture and/or with other confirmed diagnoses). The compatible clinical picture was defined by the presence of flu-like symptoms and fever (≥38°C). RESULTS: Fifty-one patients had at least one positive result. Three cases were excluded (missing files). There were six definite cases, 12 possible cases, and 30 incompatible cases. All patients in the definite case group were immunocompetent. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS:Humanbabesiosis is probably underdiagnosed due to its non-specific symptoms, lack of awareness about the disease, and the difficulty in making a diagnosis.
Authors: Tal Azagi; Ryanne I Jaarsma; Arieke Docters van Leeuwen; Manoj Fonville; Miriam Maas; Frits F J Franssen; Marja Kik; Jolianne M Rijks; Margriet G Montizaan; Margit Groenevelt; Mark Hoyer; Helen J Esser; Aleksandra I Krawczyk; David Modrý; Hein Sprong; Samiye Demir Journal: Pathogens Date: 2021-03-24