ad
This Article
Right arrow Images Only
Right arrow Full Version
Right arrow PDF Español
Services
Right arrow E-mail this link to a friend
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Right arrow Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Appendices
Right arrow Earn CME - What's This?
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Related Collections
Right arrowRelated Articles

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

Top
 Next
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.


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


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


Related Articles

Prevention of Tickborne Infections
Red Book 2003 2003: 186-187. [Extract] [Full Text]

Blood Safety: Reducing the Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections
Red Book 2003 2003: 106-116. [Extract] [Full Text]

Drugs for Parasitic Infections
Red Book 2003 2003: 744-770. [Extract] [Full Text]



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Gombert, M. E., Goldstein, E. J. C., Benach, J. L., Tenenbaum, M. J., Grunwaldt, E., Kaplan, M. H., Eveland, L. K. (1982). Human Babesiosis: Clinical and Therapeutic Considerations. JAMA 248: 3005-3007 [Abstract]