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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Natural History
Progression of a babesiosis infection may present itself in a variety of clinical manifestations, which is potentially a 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
References
- ↑ Babesiosis Disease. For Health Professionals. Center for Disease Control and Prevention(2015). http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/disease.htmlAccessed December 8, 2015.