A new pilot study from North Carolina State University has found molecular evidence of Bartonella or Babesia infection in nearly half of 50 people diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

The findings suggest that vector‑borne pathogens may play a larger role in chronic illness than previously recognized.

Bartonella and Babesia are both transmitted primarily through arthropods—ticks, fleas, and lice—and have been linked to a range of persistent symptoms.

Improved testing has revealed that Bartonella, once thought to cause only short‑lived infections like cat scratch disease, can be associated with chronic and even neuropsychiatric symptoms. Babesia, best known as a tick‑borne parasite, has also been transmitted through blood transfusions and organ transplants.

For this study, researchers selected 50 participants from a larger group of chronically ill individuals with long‑term fatigue and neurological symptoms such as memory problems, tremors, disorientation, or anxiety.

Using quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing, the team detected:

• Babesia in 10 participants
• Bartonella in 11
• Both pathogens in 2

That’s 23 out of 50 participants showing evidence of infection.

“ME/CFS diagnoses are primarily based on immunological biomarkers that can have numerous influences,” said study author Edward Breitschwerdt, Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine at NC State.

“Our goal was to detect the DNA of specific pathogenic microorganisms that might contribute to or cause a patient’s chronic illness.”

Breitschwerdt emphasized that the small sample size means the results can’t be generalized to all ME/CFS patients, but the unexpectedly high prevalence highlights the need for further research.

The study, supported in part by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, appears in Pathogens.

SOURCE: North Carolina State University