Archive for the ‘Babesia’ Category

Study Uncovers Hidden Bartonella and Babesia Infections in ME/CFS Patients

Four years ago an article was posted asking if a chronic infection could be behind ME/CFS patients. The answer appears to be yes. A previous study found a link between Cytomegalovirus, EBS, and Human Herpesvirus-6 and ME/CFS. The following also connects Babesia and Bartonella to the condition.

https://www.lymedisease.org/bartonella-babesia-me-cfs/

Study uncovers hidden Bartonella and Babesia infections in ME/CFS patients

A new pilot study from North Carolina State University has found molecular evidence of Bartonella or Babesia infection in nearly half of 50 people diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

The findings suggest that vector‑borne pathogens may play a larger role in chronic illness than previously recognized.

Bartonella and Babesia are both transmitted primarily through arthropods—ticks, fleas, and lice—and have been linked to a range of persistent symptoms.

Improved testing has revealed that Bartonella, once thought to cause only short‑lived infections like cat scratch disease, can be associated with chronic and even neuropsychiatric symptoms. Babesia, best known as a tick‑borne parasite, has also been transmitted through blood transfusions and organ transplants.

For this study, researchers selected 50 participants from a larger group of chronically ill individuals with long‑term fatigue and neurological symptoms such as memory problems, tremors, disorientation, or anxiety.

Using quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing, the team detected:

  • Babesia in 10 participants
  • Bartonella in 11
  • Both pathogens in 2

That’s 23 out of 50 participants showing evidence of infection.

“ME/CFS diagnoses are primarily based on immunological biomarkers that can have numerous influences,” said study author Edward Breitschwerdt, Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine at NC State.

“Our goal was to detect the DNA of specific pathogenic microorganisms that might contribute to or cause a patient’s chronic illness.”

Breitschwerdt emphasized that the small sample size means the results can’t be generalized to all ME/CFS patients, but the unexpectedly high prevalence highlights the need for further research.

The study, supported in part by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, appears in Pathogens.

SOURCE: North Carolina State University

________________

For more:

Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, research, Testing

Best Herbal Antibiotic Plans for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia

https://treatlyme.com/guide/best-herbal-antibiotics-for-lyme-bartonella-babesia/

Best Herbal Antibiotic Plans for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia

By Dr. Marty Ross

best-herbal-antibiotics-for-lyme-bartonella-babesia
Updated: January 24, 2025

Science Meets Buhner for Best Herbal Antibiotic Options

History Speaks

Historically, most herbal antibiotic regimens for used tick-borne infections are based on the writings and experience of master herbalist Stephen Buhner. His work is science related. However, most of the herbal antibiotics he recommends do not have actual studies showing they work in the lab or in humans for killing specific tick-borne infections. For instance, he recommends Andrographis to kill Borrelia based on science showing it kills another spirochete called Leptospirosis. And Buhner recommends Sida Acuta to address Babesia because it is used as an antimalarial, even though there is no research showing it works for Babesia.

Buhner’s writings occurred before the discovery of persister Borrelia (Lyme) and Bartonella which I describe below. So, his writings did not specifically address how to deal with these hibernation forms of germs.

Enter Science

Over the last few years, researchers are rushing to find new ways to kill the terrible Bs (Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia). Some of the interest in looking at herbal medicine options is the discovery of hibernating persister growth states of Borrelia and Bartonella that do not respond to classic herbal medicines or prescription regimens that target growing states of these germs. Out of this laboratory work, we now know that Buhner’s Andrographis does not work against Borrelia, but many other agents do.

In 2023 Shor and Schweig published their review of newer laboratory studies showing which herbal medicines work in the lab to kill the growing, persister, and biofilm states of Borrelia and Bartonella. This work also reveals numerous agents that can kill Babesia. Table 1. below is drawn from the Shor-Schwieg article. My table is more limited than the one published in their paper but focuses on what I have found clinically to be the most relevant herbal antibiotics.

Table 1. Herbal Antibiotic Actions

How to Interpret Table 1
  • About G P B. Borrelia and Bartonella exist in growing states, hibernation states, and biofilm communities. The growing states are also called active states. The hibernators are also called persisters or stationary states. Biofilms are mostly known as biofilms. I prefer to use the terms growing (G), persister (P) and biofilms (B) while Shor and Schweig refer to active, stationary, and biofilm states. Keep this in mind if you review their article and more extensive table.
  • About Blank. In some instances, a blank space in the table means the research did not look to see if an herbal agent actually addresses the identified problem. For instance, Zhang and colleagues showed that cinnamon, clove, and oregano oils kill Borrelia biofilms, but their research did not look at whether these herbal oils help Bartonella biofilm. Given the similarity of biofilm structures, cinnamon, clove and oregano oils may actually be good agents against Bartonella biofilms.
  • About Sida Acuta and Houttuynia. Buhner recommends Sida Acuta and Houttuynia to address Bartonella. He also recommends Sida Acuta for Babesia. These key herbal antibiotics are not included in my table or the work of Shor-Schweig because there was no research conducted looking at these agents. This does not mean they do not work, but based on science, we do not know.  (See link for article)

_____________

**Comment**

The article gives numerous treatment options for each pathogen.  We can be extremely thankful to have all of this information in an easy to find and use format which is supported by science.

For more:

Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, Herbs, Lyme, research, Treatment

Babesiosis Study Paves Way For Better Treatment

https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/babesiosis-study-paves-way-for-better-treatment/

Babesiosis study paves way for better treatment

By Maya Brownstein

Illustration of a tick

Babesiosis, a disease transmitted to humans by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease, is an emerging threat, particularly for individuals who are immunocompromised. In a new study, researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health identified how Babesia divergens—one of the parasites that causes babesiosis—spreads in the human body to cause infection. The findings suggest a path for the development of more effective drugs to treat the disease.

The study was published Jan. 27 in Nature Microbiology. Manoj Duraisingh, John LaPorte Given Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, was corresponding author.

According to Duraisingh, babesiosis is “exploding” in the northeast U.S., and there are limited treatments to combat it. Some people who are infected are asymptomatic; others have flu-like symptoms. In healthy individuals, babesiosis typically resolves on its own. But elderly patients and those with weakened immune systems can experience severe disease with potentially fatal complications.

To learn more, the researchers examined Babesia divergens in the lab. They developed and optimized genetic tools, such as CRISPR, to study on a molecular level how Babesia divergens spreads from one infected cell to the next, to ultimately cause disease in humans.

The researchers discovered that Babesia divergens relies on four essential proteins to spread. They then validated drug compounds that block these proteins and stop parasite growth.

“This is the first detailed, genetically validated map of egress in Babesia divergens,” Duraisingh said. “We have now druggable targets in babesia parasites. This creates a clear path toward better therapies.”

Read the study:

Babesia divergens host cell egress is mediated by essential and druggable kinases and proteases

For more:

Category:

Babesia, research, Ticks, Treatment

Scientists Issue Warning Over Rise to Ticks Carrying Multiple Diseases

https://www.newsweek.com/us-northeast-warned-rise-multiple-disease-bearing-ticks

Scientists Issue Warning Over Rise of Ticks Carrying Multiple Diseases

Mar 12, 2026

By 

Ticks capable of carrying and transmitting more than one potentially fatal disease at the same time are becoming increasingly common in the northeastern U.S., according to a new long-term analysis that raises fresh public health concerns for the region.

The research found that a growing share of blacklegged ticks—also known as deer ticks—are infected with multiple disease-causing pathogens. The study was led by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies disease ecologist Shannon LaDeau and conducted in partnership with the SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases at Upstate Medical University.

The findings come from nearly a decade of tick surveillance and point to a more complex and potentially dangerous tick-borne disease landscape, particularly because different infections require different treatments.

“Healthcare workers should be on the lookout for rising co-infection risks,” LaDeau said in a statement. “And for people spending time outdoors in the Northeast, as a general rule, if the ground is not freezing, it’s a good idea to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Prevention is key.”  (See link for article)

_____________

Findings:

  • 1 in10 nymphs tested positive for at least two pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi (19.3%) and Babesia microti (21%) were the most common followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (5.8%) and Borrelia miyamotoi (2%)
  • by the end of the study period 11% of sampled ticks had coinfections
  • coinfection rate has been increasing over time
  • 38% of nymphs were capable of transmitting at least one disease to humans

For more:

 

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Borrelia Miyamotoi (Relapsing Fever Group), Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks

Lyme Disease Coinfections & the Brain

http://

Lyme Disease Coinfections and the Brain

Feb 26, 2026
Clinical Strategies for Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Recovery
Join Dr. Aylin Ozdemir for an expert-led exploration of the neurological and neuropsychiatric complexities of Lyme disease and associated co-infections, based on a recently published peer-reviewed research paper (June 2025).
This webinar examines why Lyme disease is frequently misdiagnosed in patients presenting with cognitive, behavioural, and neurological symptoms, and how expanded diagnostic approaches can reveal underlying immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation when standard testing falls short.
Drawing from real-world clinical cases, viewers will learn about integrative therapeutic approaches to support neurological and neuropsychiatric recovery. We’ll explore practical strategies to better recognise, treat, and support recovery in complex neuro-Lyme presentations:
Why Lyme disease often presents as psychiatric or neurological illness The limitations of standard testing How expanded diagnostics improve detection Clinical insight: Real-world case examples Recognising complex neuropsychiatric presentations Integrative therapeutic approaches: Antimicrobial strategies Immune modulation Neuroprotective and mitochondrial support Long-term maintenance protocols to help reduce relapse Dr. Kunal Garg provides a brief overview of the application of CARE Guidelines, highlighting the importance of rigorous case documentation and high-quality publishing in advancing evidence-informed Lyme disease care.
For more:

Category:

Activism, Babesia, Bartonella, Lyme