Babesia microti:an unusual travel-related disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Human babesiosis is a rare tick-borne infectious disease. The clinical presentation ranges from an asymptomatic form to a life threatening infection with severe hemolysis. Human babesiosis due to Babesia microti is the most common and is endemic in North America. Case presentation We report a European patient with severe pancytopenia and reactive hemophagocytosis related to a Babesia microti infection. Babesia infection was acquired during a travel in the USA. Conclusion Babesiosis should be considered in patients who traveled in endemic areas, especially North America for the most common agent Babesia microti.