Babesiosis is a disease caused by infection with Babesia. Babesia is a malaria-like parasite, also called a “piroplasm” that infects red blood cells. In addition to transmission by ticks, Babesia can be transmitted from mother to unborn child or through a contaminated blood transfusion. Symptoms of Babesiosis are similar to those of Lyme disease but Babesiosis more often starts with a high fever and chills. Babesiosis is often so mild it is not noticed but can be lifethreatening to people with no spleen, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.
Sample Material
- Blood serum, plasma
- Cerebrospinal fluid
- Tick suspension samples
Detection Channels
- FAM (495 – 520 nm) for Internal Control (IC)
- ROX (575 – 602 nm) for Babesia species