Postmortem evidence of Babesia and Bartonella infections in chronically ill suicidal young people

Vector-borne diseases represent an emerging global threat to public health, yet the potential role of flea and tick-borne pathogens as a cause or cofactor in neuropsychiatric illnesses and suicidal ideation remains relatively uninvestigated. Co-infections with vector-borne Babesia and Bartonella spp., as well as infection with more than one Babesia species, may represent a more important cause of neurological and neuropsychiatric illnesses than is currently appreciated.

Postmortem blood, tissue, and urine samples from six chronically ill youths who ended or wanted to end their lives were tested for molecular evidence of Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia spp. using qPCR, dPCR, and enrichment blood culture.

Infections with Babesia, Bartonella, or both genera were confirmed by DNA sequencing in five of six subjects. Three different Babesia spp. were detected in four subjects, of whom two were infected with more than one Babesia sp. All six had equivocal Bartonella spp. dPCR + or enrichment culture dPCR + results. Bartonella henselae was confirmed by DNA sequencing in two individuals. Borrelia dPCR was equivocally positive in one subject but could not be confirmed by DNA sequencing.

These findings support the hypothesis that persistent Bartonella and Babesia spp. infections may have a causal role in chronic illness and potentially suicidality in young people. More research is needed to determine the prevalence and role of these pathogens in patients with chronic physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms and suicidal ideation.