1633. Human Co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti Among High-Risk Hispanic/Latino Workers on Eastern Long Island, New York: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Analysis in 2016

BACKGROUND: Lyme disease has serious public health implications and has a high prevalence in Suffolk County, NY. Furthermore, there is a high risk for coinfection with Babesiosis, a potentially life-threatening tick-borne infection in the same area. This population-based cohort study was implemented in 2016 to assess the risk factors for Borreliosis among the Hispanic/Latino work population, which gave us the opportunity to measure clinical and epidemiological features of co-infection. METHODS: Invitation to participate in the study occurred during a Spanish educational lecture about tick-borne diseases. Following signed informed consent, a questionnaire and blood sample were obtained for each participant Borreliosis was defined based on 2-tiered serologic testing. Antibodies to B. microti were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Between June and December 2016, 126/199 (66%) with a completed visit 1 (survey and blood draw) were included in the first analysis. RESULTS: Sample characteristics include 60% 18–39 years old, 75% male, 79% had elementary school education or less, 86% reported having tick exposure, 79% lived in Eastern North Fork, 65% lived 10 or more years in the United States, and 48% were gardeners and landscapers. The seroprevalence for Borreliosis burgdorferi, Babesiosis microti, and co-infection were n = 13(10.3%), n = 36 (28.6%), and n = 7 (5.6%), respectively. In the univariate analysis having a fatigue severity score of <4 or having fatigue most of the time or stiff neck or joint pain or facial paralysis, or a previous diagnosis of other tick-borne diseases were associated with co-infection (Pearson chi-square, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: However, none of these factors were statistically significant in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for the above variables. In this initial study, a high prevalence of Babesiosis was found. A larger sample size may be needed to better assess the risk of coinfection in this Lyme endemic area. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.