HUMAN BABESIOSIS IN 1997

Human babesiosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by an haemoproto zoan of genus Babesia, transmitted by tick bites. In Europe, the most severe cases are observed in asplenic patients infected by Babesia div ergens. Acute intravasculnr haemolytic syndrome appears rapidly and is responsible for renal failure and is life threatening. Most of the ca ses have been reported in France. In contrast. Babesia microti babesio sis observed in the United States are less severe than Babesia diverge ns cases. The major problem raised by babesiosis is the rapidity of th e clinical and biological diagnosis. The currently recommanded treatme nt of severe cases consists of a blood exchange followed by clindamyci ne intraveineuse, 25 mg/kg/d in three treatments, until disappearance of parasitemia. Prophylaxis against tick bites should be recommanded f or asplenic individuals.