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Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases
Babesiosis
Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Most infections are asymptomatic.
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 signs
and symptoms including chills, sweats, myalgias, arthralgias,
headache, nausea, and vomiting. Less common findings are hyperesthesia,
sore throat, abdominal pain, conjunctival injection, photophobia,
weight loss, and nonproductive cough. Clinical signs generally
are minimal, often consisting only of fever, although mild splenomegaly,
hepatomegaly, or both are noted occasionally. If untreated,
illness can last for a few weeks to several months with a prolonged
recovery; silent babesial infection may persist with recrudescence
for months or even years in untreated people. Severe illness
is most likely to occur in people older than 40 years of age,
people with asplenia, and people who are immunocompromised and
often presents with fever and hemolytic anemia. Some people,
especially people with asplenia, can suffer fulminant illness
resulting in death. Many clinical features are similar to those
of malaria.
ETIOLOGY: Babesia species are intraerythrocytic protozoa. The
etiologic agents of babesiosis in the United States include
Babesia microti, which has caused most of the
. . . [Go to Full Text]
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