Cardiac Abnormalities Are Common During Hospitalization for Babesiosis

In a retrospective study, complications — such as supraventricular tachycardia, heart failure, and QTc interval prolongation — were seen in about one fifth of patients.

Human babesiosis is an intraerythrocytic protozoan transmitted by Ixodes ticks. While most infections result in mild to moderate illness, some cases require hospitalization; in particular, those who are older than 50 and immunocompromised are at risk for severe disease. Cardiac complications have included congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, and myocarditis, but the full range of cardiac complications has not been defined. Accordingly, researchers performed a retrospective review of 163 adult cases of babesiosis (median age, 67) admitted to a single medical center in Connecticut from January 2011 to October 2021. Diagnosis was confirmed by identification of parasites on thin blood smear, PCR testing, or both.

At lea…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Cardiac Abnormalities Are Common During Hospitalization for Babesiosis

Topics

Reviewing Author