A fatal case of Babesia divergens infection in Northwestern Spain

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2018 Mar;9(3):730-734. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.018. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Abstract

We describe a fatal case caused by the intra-erythrocytic Babesia divergens parasite in an elderly woman. This is the third case of fatal babesiosis reported in the last 15 years in Europe, and the only one in a patient with an intact spleen.

Keywords: Babesia divergens; Fatal case; Human babesiosis; Treatment failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Babesia / drug effects
  • Babesia / isolation & purification*
  • Babesiosis / blood*
  • Babesiosis / diagnosis*
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • DNA, Protozoan / blood
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythrocytes
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Spleen / parasitology
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • DNA, Protozoan