Babesiosis natural history, complications and prognosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ilan Dock, B.S.
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Overview
The prognosis is usually good for individuals will regularly functioning immune systems and proper treatment. Severe illness is commonly associated with individuals with weaker immune systems including young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations. The reason for this heightened level of illness severity is, most likely, directly correlated with heightened levels of parasitemia in blood. Thus it is important for individuals within these populations to receive swift and proper treatment. Babesiosis may remain asymptomatic or manifest into a sever illness. Asymptomatic populations will not recognize any obvious signs or symptoms commonly associated with a babesiosis infection. Symptomatic populations will undergo an incubation period between 1-6 weeks prior to experiencing non-specific flu-like symptoms, or in severe cases, malaria-like symptoms. Further complications may include heart problems, low blood pressure,kidney failure, severe breathing problems, and severe hemolytic anemia (hemolysis).
Natural History
Progression of a babesiosis infection may present itself in a variety of clinical manifestations. The severity of these clinical manifestations are potentially a direct reflection of blood parasitemia levels in the blood.
Asymptomatic
Early Stage
- Chronic infection within asymptomatic populations remain within the incubation stage.
Late Stage
- There are no further clinical manifestations
Further development if left untreated
- Clinical manifestations may occur as an asymptomatic patient becomes immuno-compromised or naturally ages.
Symptomatic
Early Stage
- Incubation period of 1-6 weeks, however may incubate as long as 3 months.
- Clinical manifestations will present themselves as non-specific flu like symptoms.
- Common symptoms will include fever, headache, muscle aches, and pain.
- Severe illness may occur in older and immuno compromised populations. Severe illness will present itself as malaria-like.
- Symptoms associated with a severe infection include nausea, emesis, night sweats, and anorexia.
Late Stage
- Severe hemolysis may lead to jaundice.
- Other complications include a Shock-like state, renal failure, and pulmonary edema.
Further development if left untreated
- Heightened levels of parasitemia in blood.
- Severe anemia, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and eventually death.
Complications
Babesiosis can be a very severe illness with complications including:[1]
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Heart problems
- Low blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Severe breathing problems
- Severe hemolytic anemia (hemolysis)
- A very low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- Disseminated intravascular condition (DIC)
- Jaundice
- Hemoglobinuria
Prognosis
- The prognosis is usually good for individuals with normally functioning immune systems and proper treatment.
- Clinical manifestations with occur and become more severe as parasitemia levels heighten in blood.
- Severe illness (heightened levels of parasitemia) may be fatal and must therefore be closely monitored in young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
References
- ↑ Babesiosis Disease. For Health Professionals. Center for Disease Control and Prevention(2015). http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/disease.htmlAccessed December 8, 2015.