This document discusses Babesiosis, a rare infectious disease caused by protozoa transmitted by ticks. It begins with an introduction and overview of Babesiosis, describing its epidemiology, lifecycle, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, prevention and control, and treatment. Babesiosis is caused by Babesia parasites that infect and destroy red blood cells. It ranges from asymptomatic to life-threatening depending on the person's health status. Diagnosis is usually made by finding the parasites in a blood smear under a microscope. Treatment involves antibiotic and antimalarial drug combinations for 7-10 days. Prevention focuses on avoiding tick bites during outdoor activities in tick habitats.

1. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences

2. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Babesiosis
“Red water fever”
Narayan Adhikari
Third Semester, B Pharm Roll no: 13
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Pokhara University, Dhungepatan, Lekhnath, Kaski , Nepal

3. Pokhara University
School of Health and Allied Sciences
Overview
 Introduction
 Epidemiology
 Life-cycle
 Symptoms
 Complications
 Diagnosis
 Prevention and Control
 Treatment
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4. Pokhara University
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INTRODUCTION
 Babesiosis is a rare infectious disease caused by
single-celled micro-organisms (protozoa) belonging
to the Babesia family.
 It is believed that the Babesia protozoa are usually
carried and transmitted by ticks (vectors).
 Babesiosis occurs primarily in animals; however, in
rare cases, Certain Babesia species are known to
cause babesiosis infection in humans (e.g., Babesia
microti), and the deer tick is a known vector.
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Contd…
 Babesia infection can range in severity from
asymptomatic to life threatening. The infection is
both treatable and preventable.
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School of Health and Allied Sciences
EPIDEMIOLOGY
People get infected with Babesia parasites in
several ways:
• The main way is through the bite of an infected tick
—during outdoor activities in areas where babesia is
found.
• A less common way is by getting a transfusion from a
blood donor who has a Babesia infection but does
not have any symptoms. (No tests have been
licensed yet for screening blood donors for Babesia)
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• Rare cases of congenital transmission—from an
infected mother to her baby (during pregnancy or
delivery)—have been reported.
• NOTE :Babesia parasites are not transmitted from
person-to-person like the flu or the common cold.
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TICK
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9. Pokhara University
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Incubation period
 It is the period between exposure to an infection
and the appearance of first symptoms.
 It lies between 1-6 weeks
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LIFECYCLE
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 The life cycle begins when an infected tick
sporozoites enter into a mouse feeding on blood.
 Sporozoites in the RBCs reproduce asexually by
budding and differentiated into male and female
gametes which cannot be distinguished by light
microscopy.
 Male gametes are once again ingested by tick and
undergoes sporogony to produce sporozoites.
 Babesia sporozoites are introduced into the human
when the infected tick bites a human for blood meal.
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12. Pokhara University
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• Sporozoites then enter into erythrocytes where they
undergoes asexual reproduction by budding.
• Parasites multiply within the blood and diseases
begins to clinically manifest itself.
• Once the lifecycle completed within human is only
transmitted human-to-human by blood transfusions.
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SYMPTOMS
 Many people who are infected with Babesia
microti feel fine and do not have any symptoms.
Some people develop nonspecific flu-like symptoms,
such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches,
loss appetite, nausea or fatigue, muscle aches
(myalgia).
 Because Babesia parasites infect and destroy red
blood cells, babesiosis can cause a special type of
anemia called hemolytic anemia. This type of anemia
can lead to jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and dark
urine.
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 Babesiosis can be a severe, life-threatening disease,
particularly in people who:
 do not have a spleen;
 have a weak immune system for other reasons (such
as cancer, lymphoma, or AIDS);
 have other serious health conditions (such as liver or
kidney disease); or
 are elderly.
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COMPLICATION
 a low and unstable blood pressure;
 severe hemolytic anemia (hemolysis);
 a very low platelet count (thrombocytopenia);
 disseminated intravascular coagulation (also known
as “DIC” or consumptive coagulopathy), which can
lead to blood clots and bleeding;
 malfunction of vital organs (such as the kidneys,
lungs, and liver); or
 death.
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DIAGONOSIS
In symptomatic
people, babesiosis
usually is diagnosed
by examining blood
specimens under a
microscope and
seeing
Babesia parasites
inside red blood
cells.
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FIGURE: Babesia parasites in red
blood cells on a stained blood
smear. (CDC Photo: DPDx)

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PREVENTION AND CONTROL
• No vaccine is available to protect people against
babesiosis. However, people who live, work, or travel
in tick-infested areas can take simple steps to help
protect themselves against tick bites and tick-borne
infection.
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 During outdoor activities in tick habitats, take
precautions to keep ticks off the skin.
 Walk on cleared trails and stay in the center of the
trail, to minimize contact with leaf litter, brush, and
overgrown grasses, where ticks are most likely to be
found.
 Minimize the amount of exposed skin.
 Apply repellents to skin and clothing.
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TREATMENT
Drug Adult dosage (usually treat for at least 7-10 days)
Atovaquone 750 mg orally twice a day
along with
Azithromycin On the first day, give a total dose in the range of 500-1000 mg orally;
on subsequent days, give a total daily dose in the range of 250-1000
mg
or
Clindamycin 600 mg orally 3 times a day
or
300-600 mg intravenously 4 times a day
along with
Quinine 650 mg orally 3 times a day
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20. Pokhara University
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References
• Walker BR and Ralston SH (2010) Davidson’s Principles and
Practice of Medicine (21st Ed.), Elsevier, Edinburg, pp 453-
455
• URL-1:
http://www.medicinenet.com/deep_babesiosis/article.html

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THANK YOU!!!
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