Babesia microti, a parasite that leads to babesiosis in humans, and is transmitted by ticks. And the symptoms of Babesia microt infection is not too distinct from other illnesses (malaria, flu etc). ), so the diagnosis is stumbling. This means special laboratory tests are needed to prove infection. Today, Babesia microt are mainly identified by blood tests. PCR and antibody detection are some of the tests. However, these techniques may be sensitive and specifically limited. As Babesia microt are transmitted by ticks in the majority, seasonal variation complicates the detection process. Infection could be more probable in the time of year that ticks are most active (spring and summer) but less likely to be caught at the other times. Treatment may affect test results. For instance, if you take antibiotics it may make the parasites less abundant and lead to false positives.
Modern technologies have risen in terms of sensitivity, specificity and throughput for NAT and antibody-based Babesia detection. These include genomics for discovering new high copy number targets for NAT, and immunodominant antigens for Babesia superior antigen and antibody detection.
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Babesia Microti Biological Activity
There are several obstacles to a proper parasite detection because B mollis infection is intraerythrocytic. The most simple way to diagnose Babesia is with the help of blood film microscopy and xenodiagnosis. Parasite nucleic acid and antigen detection are good biomarkers for active infection; antibodies can be a biomarker of active infection or an existing infection that has passed. B mollis reproduces in rodents (eg, voles). It is passed between people and other hosts by ticks. Pre-seroconversion (window period) early infection is harder to identify and crucial to diagnosis and treatment early, particularly in the most vulnerable groups. Therefore, detection biomarkers and additional technology will be required for diagnosis early detection, epidemiological studies, and surveillance of the genetic variation and geographic spectrum of human babesiosis in the US and elsewhere.
Fig. 1 Detection of Babesia Microti (Meredith, S., et al. 2021).
Identification of Vole Infection Biomarkers
The genomics and detection technologies for pasteurella vole have become so advanced that more precise detection and high-throughput platforms for diagnosis, molecular surveillance, and blood safety have been possible. Using biomarkers to determine levels of infection and disease in voles is an effective approach. Here are some standard techniques and biomarkers for vole infection:
| Methods |
| Serological tests |
ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) |
Check for specific antibodies in the serum and see if it is infection. |
| Western blotting |
This is used to look for certain proteins that will tell them whether they're infected or not. |
| Molecular biology tests |
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) |
Find vole infecting DNA or RNA, very sensitive and specific. |
| Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) |
Rapid DNA amplification technology that can be detected in real time. |
| Hematological test |
Blood smear examination |
A direct detection technique to watch parasite morphology in blood under the microscope. |
| Biomarkers |
| Antibodies |
Anti-vole IgG/IgM antibodies |
High serum levels of certain antibodies can be a measure of infection and immunity. |
| Parasite DNA/RNA |
Detection of vole DNA or RNA sequences can directly confirm the presence of parasites and is a highly sensitive detection method. |
| Inflammatory markers |
These indicators can reflect the degree of inflammation and assist in diagnosis and monitoring of infection status. |
Novel and Future Technologies
Next-generation Sequencing
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) changed the medical game. NGS is increasingly used for infectious disease diagnosis and surveillance. The independent detection of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites in patient samples is known as metagenomics NGS (mNGS). Metagenomics NGS can detect more than one microorganism at a time: bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, for the more specific analysis. : NGS can help you to detect and track epidemics of infectious diseases, track the spread path of the epidemic, and deliver control interventions.
Efficient Detection Methods of Babesia Microti
Combining genomics antigen discovery and technology has resulted in highly sensitive NAT and antibody-based detection systems for human diagnostics. So too has the development of extremely sensitive, specific, high-throughput NAT assays for Babesia that now permit Babesia-positive regional donor screening in endemic states for the first time.
Multiplex ELISA multiplex antigen detection assays and RDT assays for diagnosis and donor screen are in the pipeline.
References
- Meredith, S., et al. Technologies for detection of Babesia microti: Advances and challenges. Pathogens. 2021,10(12): 1563.
- Krause, P., et al. Diagnosis of babesiosis: evaluation of a serologic test for the detection of Babesia microti antibody. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 1994, 169(4): 923-916.
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