Connecticut medicine
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Conn Med
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Connecticut medicine · May 2014
Case ReportsSevere babesiosis presenting as acute respiratory distress syndrome in an immunocompetent patient.
Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by the intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia microti. Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a complication of B. microti infection and generally presents later in the course of the disease. We present a case of babesiosis presenting with ARDS. ⋯ The patient was treated with atovaquone and azithromycin for seven days and was successfully extubated on day four of hospitalization. He continued to clinically improve and was discharged home four days later. The case highlights the importance of physicians being aware of the manifold ways in which babesiosis can manifest.