Spontaneous splenic rupture due to Babesia microti infection: Case report and review of the literature

This article describes the case of spontaneous splenic rupture as a rare complication of infection with Babesia species. We will discuss the symptomatology that this disease could present along with both surgical and non-surgical management approaches. Babesia infection often presents with mild to m...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Natalia Usatii, Aelita Khachatrian, John Stratidis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-01-01
Series:IDCases
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250914000250
Description
Summary:This article describes the case of spontaneous splenic rupture as a rare complication of infection with Babesia species. We will discuss the symptomatology that this disease could present along with both surgical and non-surgical management approaches. Babesia infection often presents with mild to moderate symptoms, but can rapidly progress to significant injury including splenic rupture. The first case reported in a medical journal was in 2007. Treatment usually involves a two-drug regimen; clindamycin plus quinine, or atovaquone plus azithromycin (as in our patient). If hemodynamic stability is present, a primary non-surgical treatment may be especially beneficial since splenectomy may worsen optimal immunologic function and the infection itself.
ISSN:2214-2509