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A One Health Zoonotic Vector Borne Infectious Disease Family Outbreak Investigation
Edward B Breitschwerdt1, Ricardo G Maggi1, Charlotte O Moore1
1Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2025
Summary
A One Health approach revealed stealth infections with Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia pathogens in a family and their pets, causing neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Early detection and comprehensive testing are crucial for understanding these vector-borne diseases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- One Health
- Vector-Borne Pathogens
Background:
- Investigated a family with pets experiencing neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
- Family members and pets had exposures to vectors, rescued animals, and other animals.
Observation:
- All family members experienced illnesses with neurological symptoms between 2020-2022.
- One dog diagnosed with splenic hematoma and spinal histiocytic sarcoma.
- Prolonged menorrhagia in a daughter resolved after antibiotic treatment.
Findings:
- Seroreactivity to Bartonella spp. in some family members and one dog.
- Bartonella quintana DNA confirmed in all family members and two dogs.
- Bartonella henselae DNA detected in a daughter, son, dog, and rabbit fleas.
- Babesia divergens-like MO-1 infection in all family members and one dog.
- Babesia microti co-infection in both parents.
- Potential Borrelia species infection identified in three family members.
Implications:
- Provides evidence for stealth Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia as causes or cofactors in neurological/neuropsychiatric symptoms.
- Highlights the critical role of a One Health approach in investigating infectious disease outbreaks.
- Emphasizes documenting travel, vector exposure, animal contact, and performing comprehensive diagnostics for humans, pets, and vectors.
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