The Best Test for Babesia

The diagnosis of Babesiosis typically relies on a combination of factors, including clinical symptoms, medical history, and laboratory tests. There isn't a single definitive test for Babesia, but several tests can aid in its diagnosis. The choice of test depends on the stage of the disease and other factors. The AcuDart Babesiosis test, which is powered by the ImmunoBlot technology from IGeneX Laboratory, is considered the best test for Babesia because of its superior sensitivity and specificity. The AcuDart Babesiosis test tests for the Babesia genus and speciates to multiple species of Babesia that infect humans, including B. microti and B. duncani.

Babesia is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick. However, unlike other tick-borne diseases, it is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. This makes it similar to malaria. Babesia is the most common Lyme disease co-infection and is present in all 50 US states. Testing is recommended if testing your patients for Lyme.

There are two main reasons for the spread of Babesia across the United States.

Tick Spread: The same hard-bodied Eastern and Western black-legged ticks that transmit B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, also carry Babesia. In addition, recent data suggest that the Brown Dog Tick can transmit less common strains of Babesia, including Babesia vogeli and Babesia canis.

People Travel: Data shows that patients positive for Babesia often contract the disease during domestic travel. Also, due to international travel, cases of common European strains of Babesia, such as B. divergens, are appearing across the US.

Babesiosis, caused by Babesia parasites, can present with a range of symptoms, although not everyone infected with Babesia will necessarily experience symptoms. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on factors such as the individual's age, overall health, and the specific Babesia species involved. Common symptoms of babesiosis include:

1. Fever: Fever is one of the hallmark symptoms of babesiosis. It may be low-grade or high-grade and is often accompanied by chills and sweats.

2. Fatigue: Profound fatigue and weakness are common in individuals with babesiosis. This fatigue may be persistent and debilitating.

3. Muscle aches: Muscle aches and pains, similar to those experienced with the flu, are common symptoms of babesiosis.

4. Headache: Headaches, including migraines, can occur with babesiosis. These headaches may be severe and persistent.

5. Nausea and vomiting: Some individuals with babesiosis may experience nausea and vomiting, particularly during the early stages of infection.

6. Spleen enlargement: Babesiosis can lead to enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), which may cause abdominal pain or discomfort.

7. Jaundice: In severe cases of babesiosis, the infection can cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), leading to jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and dark urine.

8. Shortness of breath: Babesiosis can cause shortness of breath, especially in individuals with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.

9. Symptoms in at-risk populations: In some cases, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, babesiosis can lead to more severe complications, such as disseminated infection, organ failure, or even death.

It's important to note that symptoms of babesiosis can overlap with those of other illnesses, such as malaria or Lyme disease, especially in regions where these infections coexist. If you suspect you may have babesiosis or have been exposed to Babesia parasites, it's essential to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Testing for babesiosis typically involves laboratory tests to detect the presence of the Babesia parasites in the blood. The tests commonly used include:

1. Blood Smear - A blood smear is examined under a microscope to look for the presence of Babesia parasites inside red blood cells.

2. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test - This test detects the genetic material (DNA) of the Babesia parasites in the blood. It is highly sensitive and can identify the presence of the parasite even if there are very few organisms present.

3. Serologic Tests - These tests detect antibodies produced by the immune system in response to Babesia infection. They include Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) test and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). These tests are often used to confirm a diagnosis or to detect past exposure to the parasite.

4. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) - FISH is a molecular biology technique used to detect and localize specific nucleic acid sequences within cells or tissue samples. In the context of Babesia parasites, FISH can be used to detect and visualize the parasites' genetic material (DNA or RNA) within host cells or tissues. FISH offers several advantages, including high sensitivity and specificity, as well as the ability to provide spatial information about the distribution of Babesia parasites within host tissues. This technique is particularly useful for research purposes and can aid in understanding the pathogenesis of Babesia infections and assessing treatment efficacy. However, it may not be routinely used in clinical diagnostics due to its complexity and specialized equipment requirements.

The AcuDart Babesiosis Test is not based on any of the above mentioned technologies, but rather the ImmunoBlot technology developed by IGeneX Laboratory. An ImmunoBlot has two key differentiators. First, it looks for multiple pathogens, instead of one with a test such as IFA. And second, it uses recombinant proteins instead of proteins from natural sources. The recombinant DNA technology provides a more efficient method to obtain large amounts of proteins (i.e. billions of copies). Additionally, by using recombinant technology, scientists are able to create DNA sequences that would not naturally exist under normal circumstances and environmental conditions, leading to more sensitive and specific tests.

The ImmunoBlot technology has many advantages over other Babesia testing methods, including:

• Uses specifically created recombinant proteins and not proteins from cultures

• Unlike IFA, can detect multiple species in one test

• Detects the full spectrum of disease: early, active and late-stage

• Detects Babesia genus and speciates to B. microti and B. duncani

• Replaces the IFA

• Avoids the error prone process of visualizing slides through a microscope