Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a parasitic infection affecting the red blood cells. It is caused by a parasite of the genus Babesia and transmitted through bite of infected tick Ixodes. Blood transfusion and transplacental route of transmission have also been reported. [1] In the United States, tickborne transmission occurs mainly in Northeast and upper Midwest peaking during the warm season. [2] People with babesiosis usually present with mild or no symptoms at all. However, the disease may be severe or even fatal to some people including the elderly, transplant patients, people who underwent splenectomy and immunosuppressed individuals.

Flu-like symptoms may develop such as fever, headache, chills, sweating, nausea, weakness and muscle aches.[4] Since the red blood cells are primarily targeted by the parasite, affected individual may develop haemolytic type of anemia which can cause jaundice and dark-colored urine. Other complications of the disease are low blood pressure, thrombocytopenia or low platelet count and disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). Vital organs may also be involved leading to heart, liver kidney and lung problems.[2]

Diagnosis of babesiois can be done by microscopic examination of the patient's blood smear demonstrating Babesia parasites inside the red blood cells.[5] Since the parasite may mimic Plasmodium falciparum of malaria and to differentiate Babesia species from one another, other confirmatory tests mayhelp such as serologic and molecular methods. [2] For patients with mild symptoms and with healthy immune status, babesiosis will often resolve itself in approximately six months. Those with more severe cases need antibiotic treatment lasting from 10 days to 2 months. A combination of quinine (650 mg of salt orally) and clindamyacin (600 mg orally) both taken thrice daily for 7-10 days is usually recommended. [6] Patients at risk are immediately started on combination treatment of intravenous clindamycin and oral quinine. Intravenous atovaquone and intravenous azithromycin combination is another treatment option to avoid acute kidney failure.[1]

The most effective measure to prevent babesiosis is to avoid ticks. If a tick is found on the body, remove the tick with tweezers carefully grasping the mouthparts. Do not use heat or petroleum jelly. Wash the area where the tick attached. If rash develops, consult a doctor. [4]

References:

1. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/780914-overview

2. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/

3. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/babesiosis/Pages/default.aspx

4. http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/babesiosis/symptoms.html

5. http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/babesiosis.htm

6. http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Babesiosis/treatment.html