First report of two asymptomatic cases of human infection with [i]Babesia[/i] microti (Franca, 1910) in Poland

Abstract

Human infection by [i]Babesia microti[/i] has been recognized as an emerging zoonosis with important public health implications worldwide. In Europe the reported cases of human babesiosis have been attributed mostly to [i]B. divergens[/i] infection, with only sporadic cases of the disease caused by [i]B. microti [/i]or [i]B. venatorum[/i]. This study, based on molecular methods (PCR, R-T PCR, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis), reveals for the first time in Poland, asymptomatic infection with . microti in immunocompetent healthy individuals working in forest ecosystems. Of the 58 professional foresters examined, two (3.4%) were identified as [i]B. microti[/i]-positive by specific PCR. The results of this study also provide strong evidence that in eastern Poland, where tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic, there is a potential risk of acquiring human babesiosis due to zoonotic [i]B. microti [/i]parasites commonly found in rodents and[i] I. ricinus[/i] ticks. The potential public health importance of this finding is discussed.

Keywords

• eastern Poland;forest ecosystem;immunocompetent forester workers;asymptomatic infection;<i>Babesia microti<i>