A Case of Tick Bite Induced Babesiosis With Lyme Disease

Abstract

The Ixodes tick may transmit multiple pathogens, Lyme disease being the most common. Early detection of tick bites and using prophylaxis measures is the key to prevent tick bite-associated diseases like babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Lyme disease. It is recommended to follow preventive measures like using diethyltoluamide (DEET) on the skin, applying permethrin on clothes while visiting the tick-infested areas. Co-infection is an uncommon occurrence but still representative in endemic areas. If there is delayed initiation of therapy in these kinds of patients, there may be dire consequences that may require aggressive therapy. Clinicians should consider co-infection when suspecting tick-borne disease which can prove to be fatal if not addressed promptly. Here, we present the case of a 72-year-old female with atypical symptoms, who was found to have coinfection with Lyme disease and Babesiosis on serology testing and peripheral smear and was diagnosed and treated promptly.

A case of Lyme disease complicated by the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction and coinfection with Babesia

“… 2 Rarely, coinfection of babesiosis with Lyme disease can occur. 8 In a study of 52 patients with erythema migrans, evidence of coinfection with Babesia was detected in 4 (7.7%) of patients. 9 Babesiosis presents with nonspecific constitutional symptoms, including fever, malaise, myalgia, or headache, occurring after parasite-mediated hemolysis of erythrocytes.…”

“… 10 Early identification and treatment of babesiosis is critical to prevent potential complications of acute respiratory, renal, and congestive heart failures and disseminated intravascular coagulation. 8 …”