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Babesiosis is a disease that can occur simultaneously with Lyme disease. It is caused by the protozoan Babesia microti, which is transmitted by the same species of tick that carries the tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme spirochetes viruses. The symptoms of this condition resemble flu-like symptoms with a high temperature.
What is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis (babesiosis) is a condition that rarely occurs in humans, more often they are dogs. It can be a secondary consequence of a tick bite, so it is a disease that can coexist with Lyme disease and is transmitted by ticks. The cause of babesiosis is the protozoa of the group: Babesia vergens, Piroplasmoidea and Babesia microti, which is transmitted by the same species of tick that transmits the tick-borne encephalitis virus and Lyme spirochetes. The incubation period for babesiosis lasts from seven days to eight weeks and sometimes even longer.
The causes of babesiosis
As mentioned above, babesiosis is a disease transmitted mainly by ticks and usually found in the northeastern states of America. Parasites are responsible for the formation of the disease:
- babesia divergence,
- Babesia microti,
- Babesia duncani.
The following are listed among people exposed to babesiosis:
- young people,
- sick people,
- elder people,
- people with reduced immunity,
- persons with AIDS.
The symptoms of babesiosis
At first, the disease proceeds without any characteristic symptoms. Its symptoms appear after a latency period of about 6 weeks, and give the picture of a flu-like infection with periodic significant increase in body temperature, chills and haemolytic anemia (eventually organ failure and shortness of breath may occur). Immune system failure can be fatal. On palpation, the doctor finds enlargement of the liver and spleen. Moreover, in the chronic form of babesiosis, there are pain in muscles, joints, sweats and chills. In turn, the blood shows characteristic ring-shaped structures inside red blood cells. Thus, babesiosis is rare, but can also be a secondary consequence of a tick bite. It is relatively rarely recognized in Poland.
Diagnostics of babesiosis
Babesiosis is a rare disease, therefore the diagnostic procedure is implemented in people who have recently traveled to the place of the disease and who have had blood transfusions. The diagnosis is based on a medical interview with the patient, which provides information about the symptoms of the disease. If the patient has fever and haemolytic anemia for a long time – tests are necessary.
The basis for the diagnosis of babesiosis is the presence of parasites on the blood smear. However, if the result is negative, but the patient is likely to have a disease, serological tests for antibodies against Babesia parasites are ordered. In addition, serological testing helps to distinguish malaria from babesiosis.
Babesiosis – treatment
Taking into account the fact that babesiosis usually goes away on its own – treatment is based on the administration of an antiparasitic preparation and an antibiotic. In addition, the patient should remember to properly hydrate the body. Some people require a blood transfusion, especially if they are life-threatening. During a transfusion, infected red blood cells are replaced with new ones.