HUMAN BABESIOSIS IN EUROPE

Human babesiosis in Europe came to medical attention in 1957 and until now 19 cases have been reported, most of them due to Babesia divergen s. The onset of the disease is characterized by hemoglobinuria, high f ever and renal failure ensue rapidly. The patients were generally aspl enic and resident in a rural area. Intraerythrocytic pleomorphic paras ites (1-3 mum) observed in stained thin blood smears are essential for Genus diagnosis. Parasitemia varyed from 5 to 80% of red blood cells. Massive blood exchange transfusion (2-3 blood volumes) followed by in travenous clindamycine (3-4 times daily) and oral quinine (600 mg base , 3 times daily) were successfully used in the treatment of three rece nt cases. Splenectomised individuals should be aware for prevention.