Babesiosis is an acute infectious disease characterized by intoxication of the body, the development of anemia, fever and a severe progressive course. Babesiosis occurs with manifestation of jaundice, fever, hemoglobinuria and anemia.

The disease is common on all continents except Antarctica.. The most common disease is found in Europe (Yugoslavia, Germany, Scandinavian countries, Poland, France) and on the east coast of America. The most susceptible to the disease are dogs, small and cattle, field mice and other rodents, cats. Several tens of thousands of diseases of domestic animals are registered every year in Europe alone. The carrier of babesiosis is the widespread pasture mite Ixodes ricinus and argas mite.

Babesiosis is also found in humans - it was first diagnosed in 1957 in Yugoslavia. As a rule, shepherds, agricultural workers, tourists get sick in the spring-autumn period.

What provokes babesiosis in humans? The causative agent of babesiosis is classified as protozoa. In humans, the disease is caused by three types of babesia: in America - Babesia micron, in Europe - Babesia divergens, rodhaini. To date, only about 100 cases of babesiosis in humans have been described in world literature, most of which were fatal.

The disease is more susceptible to persons with severe disorders in the functioning of the immune system, in particular HIV-infected and people after splenectomy. In people with a normally functioning immune system, babesiosis is asymptomatic.

Symptoms of Babesiosis When infected through ticks, the incubation period is 10-15 days, and when infected with Babesiosis through blood - 6-12 days. Patients experience a sharp rise in temperature up to 40-41 degrees, breathing becomes more frequent, heart function is disrupted. The general condition is depressed, alternating diarrhea with constipation is possible, there is a sharp weight loss.

Milk yield in cattle is reduced several times. At the same time, the milk becomes yellow, sometimes even reddish, and the taste - with a bitter aftertaste. On the second or third day of the disease, urine appears with blood. In sick sheep, abortion often occurs. The duration of the acute period of the disease is 4-8 days. Mortality in babesiosis in cattle is about 40%, and in small animals - 80%.

In humans, babesiosis predominantly develops against a background of reduced immunity (AIDS patients, elderly people and recently underwent serious illnesses and operations). The first cases of babesiosis in humans were recorded only in the second half of the last century.. As a rule, babesiosis is complicated by acute renal failure, acute multiple organ and renal-hepatic failure. Non-specific pneumonia significantly worsen the prognosis. At the moment, active work is underway to improve the level of diagnosis of babesiosis in humans in many countries..

Treatment of babesiosis Berenil, acaprine, hemosporidin, naganin, tiargen, albargin, etc. have a good therapeutic effect in babesiosis. Sick animals must be provided with complete rest, provide juicy and green food.

In severe forms of babesiosis in humans, combinations of quinine and clindamycin, or atovaquone and azithromycin are used. In extremely difficult cases, a blood transfusion may be required.

In the absence of adequate treatment, approximately 50-80% is fatal. With timely medical care, the prognosis of babesiosis is mostly favorable.

neboleem. net.