Successful conservative treatment of spontaneous splenic rupture secondary to Babesiosis: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

Babesiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Babesia. In the United States, the usual infective organism Babesia microti, is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected Ixodestick. While the majority of patients exhibit sub-clinical signs and symptoms, significant illness can result. Spontaneous splenic rupture is a life-threatening complication of some viral and protozoan infections. We present a case of Babesiosis with spontaneous splenic rupture in which conservative management with blood transfusions and hospital-based care were successful, and the patient was spared splenectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case treated without splenectomy. Our successful experience suggests conservative management may be appropriate for some patients.

• Authors: Hussain M A Abbas, Robert A Brenes, Michael S Ajemian, Stephen J Scholand
• Journal: Connecticut medicine (Conn Med) Vol. 75 Issue 3 Pg. 143-6 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 0010-6178 [Print] United States
• PMID: 21500704 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Antimalarials
• Clindamycin
• Quinine

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antimalarials (therapeutic use)
• Babesiosis (complications, therapy)
• Clindamycin (therapeutic use)
• Erythrocyte Transfusion
• Humans
• Male
• Quinine (therapeutic use)
• Rupture, Spontaneous
• Splenic Rupture (parasitology, therapy)