Transmission of human babesiosis

Q: Babesiosis is mostly transmitted by? - select one

A) blood transfusion

B) solid organ transplantation

C) transplacental

D) tick vectors

Answer: D

The objective of this question is to emphasize that babesiosis has increased considerably in the Northeast of the USA and is an emerging infectious disease of concern. 

The major cause is the rising deer population with concomitant increased tick density, due to lack of predators and insufficient culling of the herd. Another major reason is the expanding real estate in wooded areas.

Rash is the crucial differential diagnosis from Lyme disease, as rash rarely occurs in babesiosis. Both diseases may co-exist, though.

In its severe form, it can cause renal and liver insufficiency, ARDS, CHF, severe anemia, DIC, and shock. Spontaneous splenic rupture may occur from excessive erythrophagocytosis, a marker of high mortality.

#ID

References:

1. Krause PJ, Auwaerter PG, Bannuru RR, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA): 2020 Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Babesiosis. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:185.

2.  Dumic I, Patel J, Hart M, et al. Splenic Rupture as the First Manifestation of Babesia Microti Infection: Report of a Case and Review of Literature. Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:335.

3. Krause PJ. Human babesiosis. Int J Parasitol. 2019 Feb;49(2):165-174. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.11.007. Epub 2019 Jan 26. PMID: 30690090.