Volume 10, Number 4—April 2004
Research
Babesia divergens–like Infection, Washington State
Barbara L. Herwaldt*, Guy de Bruyn†, Norman J. Pieniazek*, Mary Homer‡, Kathryn H. Lofy*§, Susan B. Slemenda*, Thomas R. Fritsche†, David H. Persing‡, and Ajit P. Limaye†
Table 2
Results of testing of serial specimens obtained from a patient in Washington State infected with a Babesia divergens-like parasitea
| Dateb | Examination of smears of whole blood for Babesia parasites | IFA titers to B. divergens antigensc | PCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 31, 2002 |
Positive (parasitemia level, 28.2%) |
1:64 |
Positive |
| September 10 |
NPF |
1:1,024 |
Positive |
| October 25 |
NPF |
1:1,024 |
Positive |
| November 8 |
NPF |
1:256 |
Negative |
| December 12 |
NPF |
1:256 |
Negative |
| April 14, 2003 | NPF | 1:256 | Negative |
aIFA, indirect fluorescent antibody; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; NPF, no parasites found.
bSee Table 1 for values of other laboratory testing performed on or near dates listed here. Patient received antibabesial therapy from July 31 (before July 31 specimen obtained) through August 26, 2002. Hamsters injected with patient’s blood obtained July 31 and August 1 did not become demonstrably parasitemic, nor did jirds injected with blood from September 10.
cAll of the serum specimens were tested at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on same day.
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