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Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Appendices

The following text is from an archived Red Book® edition and may not reflect current recommendations or information. To view the current edition, click here.

Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases

Babesiosis

Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures

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CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Most infections are subclinical. In people who are symptomatic, gradual onset of malaise, anorexia, and fatigue typically occur, followed by intermittent fever with temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F) and one or more of the following symptoms: chills, sweats, myalgias, arthralgias, nausea, and vomiting. Less common findings are hyperesthesia, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, conjunctival injection, photophobia, weight loss, and nonproductive cough. Signs on physical examination generally are minimal, often consisting only of fever, although mild splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, or both are noted occasionally. Many clinical features are similar to those of malaria. The illness can last for a few weeks to several months with a prolonged recovery of as long as 18 months. Severe illness is most likely to occur in people older than 40 years of age, people who are asplenic, and people who are immunocompromised. Some people, especially those who are asplenic, can suffer fulminant illness resulting in death or prolonged convalescence.


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ETIOLOGY: Babesia species are intraerythrocytic protozoa. Babesia microti and several other genetically and antigenetically distinct organisms are responsible for disease in the United States.


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EPIDEMIOLOGY: In the United States, the primary reservoir host for B microti is the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). . . [Go to Full Text]


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