Major Surface Antigens in Zoonotic <i>Babesia</i>

Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain <i>Babesia</i> development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of <i>Babesia</i> species r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Stephane Delbecq
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/99
Description
Summary:Human babesiosis results from a combination of tick tropism for humans, susceptibility of a host to sustain <i>Babesia</i> development, and contact with infected ticks. Climate modifications and increasing diagnostics have led to an expanded number of <i>Babesia</i> species responsible for human babesiosis, although, to date, most cases have been attributed to <i>B. microti</i> and <i>B. divergens</i>. These two species have been extensively studied, and in this review, we mostly focus on the antigens involved in host–parasite interactions. We present features of the major antigens, so-called Bd37 in <i>B. divergens</i> and BmSA1/GPI12 in <i>B. microti</i>, and highlight the roles of these antigens in both host cell invasion and immune response. A comparison of these antigens with the major antigens found in some other Apicomplexa species emphasizes the importance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins in host–parasite relationships. GPI-anchor cleavage, which is a property of such antigens, leads to soluble and membrane-bound forms of these proteins, with potentially differential recognition by the host immune system. This mechanism is discussed as the structural basis for the protein-embedded immune escape mechanism. In conclusion, the potential consequences of such a mechanism on the management of both human and animal babesiosis is examined.
ISSN:2076-0817