Babesiosis on the Rise: Co-Infection with Lyme Disease More Common Than Experts Thought
Worries about tick-borne illnesses are growing, with a new study revealing a concerning rise in babesiosis cases. While most people have heard of Lyme disease, babesiosis, often called “American malaria,” is another serious threat posed by black-legged ticks. A new study from Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has found that cases of babesiosis have increased by an average of 9% annually in the United States between 2015 and 2022. Even more alarmingly, nearly half of those affected were also found to have contracted another tick-borne illness.
Babesiosis: A Tick-Borne Threat
Babesiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the Babesia parasite. Similar to malaria, the parasite infects red blood cells and can cause flu-like symptoms. While some people remain asymptomatic, babesiosis can be life-threatening for older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems or spleen issues.
The study, published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, analyzed data from TriNetX, a large national clinical database spanning over 250 million individuals. Researchers identified 3,521 people diagnosed with babesiosis between October 2015 and December 2022.
Co-Infection Raises Questions
What sets this study apart is its focus on co-infection rates. The researchers discovered that 40% of those diagnosed with babesiosis also had another tick-borne illness, such as Lyme disease. Notably, the study found no significant differences in complications or outcomes between patients with babesiosis alone and those with co-infections.
“Having both babesiosis and Lyme disease seemed not to be associated with worse mortality,” explained Paddy Ssentongo, lead author of the study. “It’s speculated that the concurrent presence of other tick-borne infections in the blood could alter the immune response by possibly ‘boosting’ it to effectively fight infections.”
A Potential Doxycycline Connection?
The team also observed that patients with co-infections were more likely to receive doxycycline, an antibiotic commonly used to treat Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Could doxycycline be effective against the Babesia parasite as well? Ssentongo suggests this is a compelling question that requires further investigation.
Prevention is Key
While exploring potential treatment options for co-infection, the most important takeaway from this research is the need for prevention. Representatives from New York State will be at the Capitol in Albany this week calling for increased funding for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses research. This study serves as a major reminder to take preventative measures.
If you live in or frequently visit areas where babesiosis is common (particularly in the Northeast and Midwest), remember the following:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, particularly when outdoors during peak tick seasons.
- Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
- Conduct thorough tick checks after spending time in wooded or grassy areas.
Don’t let tick-borne illnesses threaten your health. Stay informed and take steps to protect yourself.