Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are bitten by ticks—many of them never realizing the serious infections these tiny pests can transmit. Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, and other co-infections are on the rise across the U.S., not just in the Northeast. A single tick bite can lead to weeks, months, or even years of…

This study, published in Parasites & Vectors (2024), investigates the co-infection of Babesia odocoilei and Bartonella spp. in humans across the Americas. The research highlights both the diagnostic challenges and clinical implications of these infections in patients presenting with non-specific chronic symptoms. Key Findings: Babesia odocoilei: Traditionally associated with cervids (e.g., deer and elk), Babesia odocoilei was confirmed in seven human cases through…