Sequence and Annotation of the Apicoplast Genome of the Human PathogenBabesia microti

Commentary: An important gene sequencing project was just completed for the apicoplast genome of Babesia microti. The nuclear and mitochondrial genomes had previously been sequenced. Babesia is the number one parasitic co-infection keeping my Lyme-MSIDS patients ill, and due to the number of different strains and their ability to suppress the immune system (including the ability to clear other parasites), it is important to find answers for this parasitic infection. Once Babesia is properly diagnosed and treated, many patients improve. As per the authors: “The potent activity of drugs such as azithromycin and clindamycin against B. microti indicates that the apicoplast plays an essential role during the parasite intraerythrocytic life cycle. Targeting the apicoplast- and nuclear-encoded functions important for apicoplast maintenance and replication may help identify and design novel, potent and safer therapies for the treatment of human babesiosis”. We urgently need research monies dedicated for this important project.

Sequence and Annotation of the Apicoplast Genome of the Human PathogenBabesia microti, PLoS One