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More Diseases and Conditions Topics
Babesiosis - Canine and Babesiosis in dog
What is Babesiosis?
Babesiosis is infectious disease of red blood cells caused by the one-celled parasite Babesia. Babesiosis is usually an asymptomatic infection in healthy individuals. In the United States, babesiosis usually affects people on the offshore islands or coastal regions of New York and Massachusetts. Babesiosis affects all age groups with similar frequency; however, patients older than 50 years are at increased risk for severe infection and death. Babesiosis is caused by hemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. This disease protozoan was first described in cattle in 1891 by the Hungarian microbiologist Babes. While more than 100 species have been reported, only a few have been identified as causing human infections. Babesiosis is limited to those who live in, or have recently traveled to, the northeastern United States. Babesiosis is most commonly spread to humans by the bite of a tick infected with the Babesia parasite. Babesiosis is spread by deer ticks, which are carried mainly by deer, meadow voles, and mice. Moderate to severe babesiosis may occur in children, but infection generally is less severe than in adults.
In serious cases, babesiosis is treated with a combination of clindamycin (Cleocin) and quinine. Babesiosis occurs primarily in animals; however, in rare cases, babesiosis infection may occur in humans.
Babesiosis Diagnosis
To diagnose babesiosis disease, doctor examines a blood sample under a microscope. Babesiosis is diagnosed by examining the blood under a microscope. When present, the Babesia parasite can be seen inside red blood cells.
Causes of Babesiosis
There are many causes of Babesiosis. Infections are caused by Babesia microti , transmitted by the same Ixodes tick that transmits Lyme disease. Babesiosis is transmitted by the same deer tick that transmits Lyme disease. Although infection in animals is common, people are rarely infected.
Symptoms of Babesiosis
Babesia lives inside red blood cells and eventually destroys them, producing fever, headache, and muscle aches. Anemia may result from the breakdown of red blood cells. Other signs and symptoms of Babesia include - Fatigue, Anorexia, Arthralgia and myalgia, Depression, Dark urine, Nausea and vomiting, Cough and Dyspnea.
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