Coinfection with Babesia microti and Borrelia burgdorferi in a western Wisconsin resident

Mayo Clin Proc. 1998 Apr;73(4):338-41. doi: 10.1016/S0025-6196(11)63699-9.

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman, who had not traveled outside of western Wisconsin, was hospitalized after 4 weeks of chills, fevers, myalgias, neuralgias in her right arm, and pain in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen. Physical examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly, and laboratory studies showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased aspartate transaminase level, and microscopic hematuria. Wright's stain of a blood smear revealed intraerythrocytic organisms consistent with Babesia species. A polymerase chain reaction of whole blood specimens along with an increased serologic titer confirmed the diagnosis of Babesia microti. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody serology and Western blot analysis revealed a simultaneous infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Coinfection with B. microti and B. burgdorferi may occur in endemic areas where both organisms are carried by the same tick vector, Ixodes scapularis. The intensity and duration of illness seem to be greatest in patients with concurrent infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Babesiosis / complications*
  • Babesiosis / diagnosis*
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ixodes
  • Lyme Disease / complications*
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis*
  • Wisconsin