Two Imported Cases of Babesiosis with Complication or Co-Infection with Lyme Disease in Republic of Korea
10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.609
- Author:
Hea Yoon KWON
1
;
Jae Hyoung IM
;
Yun Kyu PARK
;
Areum DUREY
;
Jin Soo LEE
;
Ji Hyeon BAEK
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea. jhbaek@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Babesia microti;
babesiosis;
splenic infarction;
co-infection;
Lyme disease
- MeSH:
Animals;
Babesia microti;
Babesiosis;
Coinfection;
Humans;
Korea;
Lyme Disease;
Malaria;
Republic of Korea;
Shock;
Splenic Infarction;
Ticks
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2018;56(6):609-613
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Babesiosis, caused by Babesia microti and B. divergens, is transmitted by Ixodid ticks. Symptoms of babesiosis vary from a mild flu-like illness to acute, severe, and sometimes fatal and fulminant disease. In Korea, 7 imported babesiosis cases and 1 endemic case have been reported. We report 2 cases of severe babesiosis initially mistaken as malaria. The first patient was complicated by shock and splenic infarction, the other co-infected with Lyme disease. As the population traveling abroad increases every year, physicians should be aware of babesiosis which mimics malaria, co-infection with other diseases, and its complications.
