Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Babesia and transmitted by ticks. It is a rare disease that more often affects post-splenectomy and immunodeficient persons. It is often accompanied by Lyme disease (up to 25%)[1].

Etiology

  • Protozoa of the genus Babesia, mostly species of B. divergens or B. bovis,
  • lives in erythrocytes

Clinical presentation

  • Fatigue, lack of appetite, joint and muscle pain, depression, cough, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath.
  • Fever, liver enlargement, muscle pain, chills, jaundice.
  • Dark urine (hemoglobinuria, proteinuria)[1].

Diagnostics

  • Blood smear stained with Giemsa - traces of parasites inside the red blood cells (round forms, non-pigmented zones, teratrades resembling the Maltese Cross, etc.).
  • Serology - specific antibodies.
  • Hemolytic anemia, leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, atypical lymphocytes. Increased erythrocyte sedimentation.
  • Increased liver tests[1].

Therapy


References

  1. ↑ a b c d HULÍNSKÁ, D. Onemocnění přenášená klíšťaty v České republice : 2008-05-07 [online]. SZÚ, ©2008. [cit. 2011-07-18]. <http://www.szu.cz/tema/prevence/onemocneni-prenasena-klistaty-v-ceske-republice>.