Babesiosis

Babesiosis (piroplasmosis) is tick-borne intraerythrocytic zoonosis by Babesia. Species-specific (cattle/horse/dog/sheep/pig). Human disease acute malaria-like; intermittent fever/splenomegaly/jaundice/hemolysis.

Common Symptoms

Restlessness; chills; fatigue; low fever; nausea

Causes and Pathogenesis

Etiology: Babesia (Apicomplexa/Piroplasmida/Babesiidae); small species (<2.5 µm) infect humans. Budding in RBC; rupture → new invasion. Tick ingests infected RBC → sexual zygote → vermicules → salivary schizogony. Pathogenesis: merozoites attach to RBC anteriorly → invagination → RBC lysis; microvascular obstruction → ischemia/necrosis; hepatic sinusoidal congestion → swollen bile-stained liver; phagocytosed RBC in spleen; hematopoiesis; brain involvement; hemolytic anemia, 2-5× spleen, petechial kidneys at autopsy.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Avoid tick exposure/endemic areas in tick season; repellents; livestock tick control; quarantine/cull infected animals; eliminate rodent reservoirs; protective clothing; post-outdoor body check.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.