Background

An emerging understanding of Babesia infections in man is represented by a long history of studies reaching back to the 1970’s and has progressed to a complex and detailed understanding of the evolution, epidemiology, and infectious processes of the parasite [1-15]. Babesia is the causative agent for Babesiosis, a hemolytic disease. Babesia is a microscopic protozoan parasite and is often confused with Borrelia, a bacteria. Scientific research has recently suggested that a reclassification of some Babesia spp. to Thileria spp. may be necessary, however for the sake of simplicity we continue to refer to this class of organisms as Babesia. Currently, there are over 100 known species of Babesia with few infecting humans at any reasonable rate, however unique cases of human infection of rare species and/or strains of Babesia have been observed. Babesia is transmitted by biting insects. In the United States Babesia microti is the most commonly observed species and is transmitted by Ixodes scapularis (tick). Symptoms caused by the infection of Babesia range from entirely asymptomatic or flu-like symptoms to more severe effects such as headaches, lethargy, fevers, pain, and even heart, respiratory, or renal failure ultimately leading to death in untreated patients. Babesia divergens, another species of Babesia, is believed to result in more severe symptoms.

Detection Technologies

Fry Laboratories is committed to bringing all three cornerstones in diagnostics to detect, identify, and report the existence of Babesia in patient samples. Fry Laboratories, processes blood samples with both traditional and patented advanced microscopic parasite detection methods. Babesia can usually be identified by its characteristic ring or cruciform structures in or associated with red blood cells. We also can detect the presence of antibodies against Babesia microti in patient samples and discriminate if it is a concurrent or acute infection (usually presented by IgM antibodies) or is potentially a chronic or past infection (presented by IgG antibodies). Lastly, Fry Laboratories uses genus wide molecular diagnostics to identify an entire group of related organisms. If a presumptive positive sample is found it is then sequenced and the exact strain or species can be determined. This even applies to rare, zoonotic, or even brand new species of Babesia that may be missed by other molecular diagnostic methods. There are over 100 species of Babesia can your tests detect them all?

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