Babesiosis Questions & Answers

Updated: Apr 01, 2021
  • Author: Rachel E Strength, MD; Chief Editor: Michael Stuart Bronze, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is babesiosis?

What are the primary vectors of babesiosis?

How is babesiosis transmitted from ticks to humans?

What is the pathophysiology of babesiosis?

What causes babesiosis?

What is the life cycle of ticks that cause babesiosis?

What causes babesiosis?

What is the epidemiology of babesiosis in the US?

What is the international epidemiology of babesiosis?

What are the demographics of babesiosis?

How is the severity of babesiosis characterized?

What is the prognosis of babesiosis?

Presentation

What is the clinical history of babesiosis?

What are the initial symptoms of babesiosis?

What are the most common symptoms of babesiosis?

What are the physical findings of babesiosis?

What are the complications of babesiosis?

What are cardiac complications of babesiosis?

What are renal complications of babesiosis?

DDX

What are the diagnostic considerations for babesiosis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Babesiosis?

Workup

What are the approach considerations in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of a CBC with differential in the workup of babesiosis?

What are the CBC findings in babesiosis?

What is the role of peripheral blood smears in the workup of babesiosis?

What are the findings of peripheral blood smears in babesiosis?

How is babesiosis distinguished from Plasmodium?

What is the role of serum chemistry in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) assay in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of an immunoblot assay in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of hamster inoculation in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of urinalysis in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of babesiosis?

What is the role of bone marrow biopsy in the workup of babesiosis?

Treatment

What are the approach considerations for the treatment of babesiosis?

Which medications are used in the treatment of babesiosis?

Which medications are indicated for the treatment of babesiosis in immunocompromised patients?

When is exchange transfusion indicated in the treatment of babesiosis?

What are the procedures for monitoring patients with babesiosis?

Guidelines

What are the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines on the diagnosis of babesiosis?

What are the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines on the management of babesiosis?

Medications

What are goals of drug therapy in the treatment of babesiosis?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Other are used in the treatment of Babesiosis?

Which medications in the drug class Antiprotozoal Agents are used in the treatment of Babesiosis?