Babesiosis: CT and hematologic findings

Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by the protozoan Babesia microti. Most patients are asymptomatic but the infection may produce a spectrum of symptoms in immunocomprimised patients, especially asplenic patients. These range from mild fever, sweats, fatigue, and myalgias to severe multiorgan failure, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. Radiographic appearances include bilateral patchy air space and interstitial opacities. We report the radiographic, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and hematologic appearances in a 63-year-old man presenting with acute babesisois. HRCT images revealed smooth septal thickening and intralobular lines superimposed on ground glass opacities in both upper lobes. Follow-up HRCT after 2 weeks of therapy demonstrated resolution of the pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities.