Babesia crassa-Like Human Infection Indicating Need for Adapted PCR Diagnosis of Babesiosis, France

Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Feb;28(2):449-452. doi: 10.3201/eid2802.211596.

Abstract

Human babesiosis in Europe is caused by multiple zoonotic species. We describe a case in a splenectomized patient, in which a routine Babesia divergens PCR result was negative. A universal Babesia spp. PCR yielded a positive result and enabled classification of the parasite into the less-described Babesia crassa-like complex.

Keywords: Babesia; Babesia crassa; France; PCR; immunocompromised patient; phylogenetic; tickborne diseases; vector-borne diseases; zoonotic disease.

MeSH terms

  • Babesia* / genetics
  • Babesiosis* / diagnosis
  • Babesiosis* / parasitology
  • France
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction