ABSTRACT

Babesia species are blood parasites which transmitted by ticks and located in erythrocytes. Babesia divergens in Europe and Babesia microti in America are the most significant etiologic agents of human babesiosis cases. The aim of this study was to determine serologically whether people living in Sinop where Ixodes ricinus ticks are commonly seen have been exposed to B. microti or not. For this purpose, during May and June of 2006-2007, blood specimens were obtained from 273 individuals who lived in villages of the Sinop region. B. microti IgG antibodies were investigated by the indirect fluorescent antibody test in sera obtained from blood specimens. B. microti seropositivity was found in 6.23% of these sera. There was no statistical differ-ence in antibody seropositivity rates according to sex groups, age groups, occupational groups and recall of tick bites (p>0.05). This study is the first seroepidemiologic report of B. microti antibodies in people living in Turkey.

Keywords: Babesia microti, Babesiosis, Ixodes ricinus, tick borne diseases, Ticks