Human Babesiosis, Maine, USA, 1995–2011

Abstract

We observed an increase in the ratio of pathogenic Babesia microti to B. odocoilei in adult Ixodes scapularis ticks in Maine. Risk for babesiosis was associated with adult tick abundance, Borrelia burgdorferi infection prevalence, and Lyme disease incidence. Our findings may help track risk and increase the focus on blood supply screening.

Keywords

• Babesiosis
• Babesia microti
• Babesia odocoilei
• blacklegged tick
• Ixodes scapularis
• Maine