title: Diagnosis and management of human babesiosis.
abstract: Babesiosis is a protozoan parasitic infection affecting humans and animals. These infections are commonly transmitted by various species of Ixodes ticks depending upon the geographical location. They can also be transmitted by packed cell transfusion and transplacental route from mother to child. Various species have been reported to cause human infections, of which Babesia microti is the most common species reported globally. Usually, Babesia infections are asymptomatic or mild, but can be severe/life-threatening in immunosuppressed or splenectomized individuals. A high index of clinical suspicion in residents of endemic areas or individuals who had a recent travel history to such areas, with laboratory confirmation can guide an early institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, thereby preventing complications and death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Subhash Chandra
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Parija
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Dinoop
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kp
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Hrudya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Venugopal
keywords: Babesia; diagnosis; management