Tick-borne zoonotic hemotropic diseases co-infection in human from Western Venezuela
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32776/revbiomed.v37.i2.1377Keywords:
Tick-borne, Zoonotic diseases, Human-coinfection, Western-VenezuelaAbstract
Introduction. Tick-borne zoonotic diseases, caused by hemotropic organisms of the families Anaplasmataceae and Babesiidae, are of great extent in most countries of the American tropical region, generating severe and frequent outbreaks in human populations.
Objective. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of tick-borne parasitic infections and co-infections caused by the genera Anaplasma, Babesia and Ehrlichia in humans exposed to tick-bites through farming or residence in rural areas of Western Venezuela.
Materials and methods. Parasitological and molecular (PCR) methodologies in peripheral blood samples were used to detect tick-borne organisms (Anaplasma, Babesia and Ehrlichia) in human populations from rural areas. A total of 346 blood samples were evaluated. These included, 226 of patients referred to a diagnostic center in Mérida state coming from different health units and, 120 from schoolchildren and parents sampled in three communities of Barinas state.
Results. The occurrence of infection and co-infection by Anaplasma sp, Babesia sp and/or Ehrlichia sp across different age-groups, was recorded. Anaplasma sp. infection was detected with higher frequency in all the study-groups. Anaplasma and Babesia are widespread and well adapted-infections to a higher degree than Ehrlichia. Particularly, in the group studied from Barinas’ state statistical analyses revealed an epidemiological relationship between Anaplasma and Babesia co-infection, showing the higher prevalence (92% and 95% respectively) and strong association in infected individuals, indicating ancient-relationships with tick-vector.
Conclusion. These findings highlight the significant public health burden of tick-borne diseases in rural Western Venezuela and the need for enhance surveillance and control measures to protect vulnerable populations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Nestor Añez, Dra. Gladys Crisante, Dra. Agustina Rojas, M.Sc. Nestor Anez Rojas, Dr. J Y Yepez, Dr. H. Parada
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