Babesia
88
- Babesia
- Includes Babesia divergens and Babesia microti
- Characteristics
- Protozoan parasite
- Transmission
- Transmitted by Ixodes tick
- Same tick as B. burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
- Babesia and Borrelia often coinfect
- Predominantly in Northeastern US
- Seen with outdoor activities (camping, hiking, etc.)
- Same tick as B. burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
- Asplenia increases risk of severe disease
- Since splenic macrophages clear infected RBCs
- Transmitted by Ixodes tick
- Presentation: Babesiosis
- Non-specific flu-like symptoms
- Fever, chills, fatigue, myalgia, headache
- Caused by a host inflammatory response producing cytokines in the bloodstream
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- Icterus and jaundice may be seen
- Anemia
- Caused by both hemolysis and by reactive oxygen species produced by Babesia infection
- Non-specific flu-like symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Blood smear with Giemsa stain
- Ring-shaped or Maltese Cross inclusions in RBC
- Maltese cross is less common than rings but pathognomonic for babesiosis
- Ring-shaped or Maltese Cross inclusions in RBC
- PCR may also be used
- Blood smear with Giemsa stain
- Treatment
- Atovaquone + Azithromycin
- Clindamycin and oral quinine is a second-line treatment that may be added in severe cases
- Atovaquone + Azithromycin