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Human babesial infections in Europe
1Department of Parasitology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Hospital Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France.
Roczniki Akademii Medycznej W Bialymstoku (1995)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Human babesiosis, often transmitted by ticks, presents severe symptoms and a high mortality rate. Prompt treatment with blood exchange and clindamycin is crucial, though human vaccines are unavailable.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Tick-borne transmission of Babesia from animals to humans is established.
- 22 human babesiosis cases reported in Europe since 1957.
- Babesia divergens is the most common cattle pathogen implicated in human cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review European human babesiosis cases.
- To identify risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes.
- To discuss treatment and prophylaxis strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported human babesiosis cases in Europe.
- Analysis of implicated Babesia species, geographical distribution, and seasonality.
- Identification of risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- 17 out of 22 cases involved B. divergens.
- Most cases occurred in France, British Isles, and Ireland between May and October.
- Splenectomy was a major risk factor (86% of patients).
- Symptoms include fever, chills, jaundice, and intravascular hemolysis.
- Mortality rate exceeded 50%.
Conclusions:
- Human babesiosis is a serious disease with high mortality, particularly in asplenic individuals.
- Prompt treatment involving blood exchange and clindamycin is recommended.
- While cattle vaccines exist, no human vaccine is currently available.