Case Report: Concurrent Babesiosis and GCA/PMR

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Rheumatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Babesiosis is a tick-borne protozoan infection with variable severity.
• Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are common inflammatory conditions in individuals over 50.
• This case report describes the first instance of concurrent babesiosis and GCA/PMR.

Observation:

• A 63-year-old male presented with fever, headache, myalgia, and fatigue.
• Laboratory findings indicated hemolytic anemia, elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, ESR).
• FDG PET-CT revealed arterial inflammation consistent with GCA, and blood smear confirmed Babesia microti infection via PCR.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with simultaneous babesiosis and GCA/PMR.
• Treatment involved glucocorticoids and antimicrobial therapy.
• This co-occurrence is exceptionally rare in clinical practice.

Implications:

• Further research is necessary to elucidate the interaction between babesiosis and the human immune system.
• Understanding this interaction could reveal novel insights into inflammatory processes.
• This case underscores the importance of considering tick-borne infections in patients with unexplained inflammatory symptoms.