A Review of Human Babesiosis and the Laboratory Diagnosis

Abstract

Babesiosis is a new worldwide parasitic disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, which is parasitic on erythrocytes of humans, and other vertebrates, and transmitted via ixodid ticks. Babesiamicroti is the main pathogenic agent of human babesiosis and is prevalent all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Australia. The United States has the highest number of cases. Babesiosis is mainly distributed in Northeast China, followed by southwest China. As a new insect-borne infectious disease, the disease poses a serious threat to human health, but the research foundation is relatively weak and should be paid more attention to. In this paper, the prevalence, transmission, distribution of babesiosis at home and abroad, and laboratory diagnosis are reviewed. The related research focus of babesiosis mainly includes the screening of diagnostic antigens of babesiosis and the interaction mechanism between Babesia and host and other pathogens.