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Highlights & Basics
- Babesiosis is transmitted to humans through the blood meal of Ixodes ticks, the same vector as for Lyme disease and human granulocytic anaplasmosis.
- Peak transmission occurs from May to September in upper midwestern and northeastern US. The disease is rare in other countries.
- Transfusion-related transmission is emerging as an important secondary mode of transmission; therefore, transmission can occur anywhere and at any time of year.
- Usually asymptomatic or presents as a mild viral-type illness in young and healthy people. May cause more serious disease or be fatal in asplenic or immunocompromised patients and in older people.
- Diagnosis is made by visualization of parasites on a peripheral blood smear or by molecular testing.
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Citations
Vannier E, Krause PJ. Human babesiosis. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:2397-2407.[Abstract]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tickborne diseases of the United States: a reference manual for health care providers, sixth edition. Aug 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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 Jan 27;72(2):e49-e64.[Abstract][Full Text]
Sanchez E, Vannier E, Wormser GP, et al. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and babesiosis: a review. JAMA. 2016;315:1767-77.[Abstract]
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