What is Babesia microti IgG Antibody by ImmunoBlot?
Babesia microti is an obligate intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite and the causative agent of the majority of human babesiosis cases in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States. It is transmitted by the bite of the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis — the same vector responsible for Lyme disease (B. burgdorferi) and anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) transmission — making co-infection a clinically important consideration in any Babesia-positive patient. IgG antibodies to B. microti antigens develop 2–4 weeks after infection, with IgM typically preceding IgG by 1–2 weeks. IgG can persist for years following both treated and untreated infection, limiting its utility as a sole indicator of active disease. The BMN (Babesia microti antigen) protein band is a species-specific antigen target in IGeneX's assay that provides serological discrimination from other Babesia species and cross-reactive organisms.