ð ç« æ«éèš
- Babesia: tick-borne intra-erythrocytic protozoan
- B. microti USA NE/Midwest (Ixodes scapularis, same as Lyme)
- B. divergens Europe (asplenic severe)
- B. duncani USA W Coast
- Risk for severe: asplenic, immunocompromise, elderly, pregnant
- Clinical: fever + chills + sweats + thrombocytopenia + hemolytic anemia (â LDH, â haptoglobin); severe = AKI + DIC + multi-organ
- Diagnosis: thick + thin Giemsa smears (Maltese cross tetrads pathognomonic), PCR (most sensitive), serology
- Treatment:
- Mild-Moderate: atovaquone + azithromycin à 7-10 d
- Severe: clindamycin + quinine à 7-10 d
- Refractory / Asplenic / Parasitemia > 10%: + exchange transfusion
- Immunocompromise: longer course (6+ wk)
- Co-infection (Ixodes): Lyme + Anaplasma + B. miyamotoi
- Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis USA NE concern; 2024 FDA expanded donor screening
- ç§é«åž« hint: NE USA travel + asplenic / immunocompromise + febrile illness â å¿
Babesia smear + PCR; exchange transfusion if severe