Babesiosis as a cause of fever in patients undergoing a splenectomy

Am Surg. 2011 Mar;77(3):345-7.

Abstract

Babesiosis is an emerging infection most commonly acquired from a tick bite. We describe three hospitalized patients with fever attributable to babesiosis after a splenectomy. Splenectomy was done because of splenic enlargement due to unsuspected babesia infection in one patient and because of splenic perforation due to babesiosis in a second patient. The third patient underwent splenectomy for trauma and acquired babesiosis postoperatively from a blood transfusion. Our cases demonstrate the need to be vigilant for babesiosis in patients undergoing splenectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Babesiosis / diagnosis*
  • Babesiosis / etiology
  • Babesiosis / therapy
  • Fever / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Splenectomy / adverse effects*
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Splenic Diseases / parasitology*
  • Splenic Diseases / surgery*
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • Young Adult