title: Environmental investigation following the first human case of babesiosis in Tennessee.
abstract: Babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic disease in the United States caused by Babesia parasites. In 2009, the first case of babesiosis was documented in Tennessee. Environmental investigation at the reported site of tick exposure included collection of ticks and specimens from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) that were tested for piroplasms by molecular and serologic methods. One hundred and sixty-six Ixodes scapularis ticks and biological samples from 8 rabbits and 5 deer were collected. Ixodes scapularis were PCR positive for Babesia odocoilei (n = 7, 4%) and Theileria cervi (n = 24, 14%). Deer were seropositive for B. odocoilei and PCR positive for T. cervi. Rabbits were seropositive for B. odocoilei and Babesia sp. MO1, and 1 rabbit was PCR positive for Babesia sp. MO1. In summary, zoonotic Babesia sp. MO1 infection in rabbits is reported here for the first time in Tennessee as well as infection of deer and I. scapularis ticks with 2 other piroplasms of veterinary importance.
authors: Vector-Borne Diseases Section, Tennessee Department of Health, 630 Hart Lane, Nashville, Tennessee 37243.
authors: Charissa
authors: C
authors: Fritzen
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Mosites
authors: Roger D
authors: RD
authors: Applegate
authors: Sam R
authors: SR
authors: Telford
authors: Junjun
authors: J
authors: Huang
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Yabsley
authors: L Rand
authors: LR
authors: Carpenter
authors: John R
authors: JR
authors: Dunn
authors: Abelardo C
authors: AC
authors: Moncayo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001403:Babesia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006224:Cricetinae; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D018884:Ixodes / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D011817:Rabbits; D013156:Splenectomy; D013714:Tennessee
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan